Eight industrial facilities in California have reached a settlement with the EPA after the agency found they violated the federal Clean Air Act’s Chemical Accident Prevention regulations.

EPA inspectors determined that the companies failed to:

• review and update facility Risk Management Plans
• design and maintain safe facilities
• conduct periodic compliance self-audits
• use updated population data in consequence analysis
• post information on hazardous substances for employees

The companies and penalties are:

• Foster Farms Belgravia Plant in Fresno, $6,600
• The Wine Group in Ripon, $2,400
• Ratto Bros. Inc. in Salida, $600
• 6th Street Cooling in Holtville, $1,620
• JR Simplot Company’s Helm Plant in Helm, $1,800
• California Dairies Inc. in Fresno, $3,600
• California Resource Production Corp., Grubb Lease Gas Plant in Ventura, $1,600
• Compton Ag Services LLC in Blythe, $2,000

Settlements were expedited

The agreements were reached under EPA’s expedited settlements policy, which is only used in certain circumstances to address minor, easily correctable violations. The companies have corrected the violations and paid the fines.

“Ensuring facilities maintain an updated Risk Management Plan is critical,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “These actions ensure that facilities handling dangerous materials are minimizing potential impacts to the environment and the surrounding community.”

The Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause requires owners and operators of certain industrial sites to design and maintain safe facilities and minimize the consequences of releases. Facilities with significant quantities of toxic substances must develop and implement a Chemical Accident Prevention or Risk Management Program.

When properly implemented, risk management plans help prevent chemical releases and minimize their potential impacts at facilities that store large amounts of hazardous substances and flammable chemicals. Facilities are required to update and resubmit their risk management plans at least once every five years. The plans are used by EPA to assess chemical risks to surrounding communities and to prepare for emergency responses.

To find information on the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause, visit: https://www.epa.gov/rmp/general-duty-clause-under-clean-air-act-section-112r1  

To find additional information on the expedited settlements policy for violations of the Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions of the Clean Air Act, visit:  https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/memorandum-use-expedited-settlements-addressing-violations-clean-air-act-caa-chemical