The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Grimmway Enterprises, Inc., has agreed to settlement penalties of $214,103 for violations of the Clean Air Act and the emergency notification requirements of two other federal laws at its Arvin, CA, facility in August 2019.
Photo: Grimmway.com, Fair use
A little over a ton (2,335 pounds) of anhydrous ammonia, an Extremely Hazardous Substance according to federal law, was released into the atmosphere. EPA later determined during a facility inspection that Grimmway failed to immediately notify state emergency authorities and the National Response Center of the release as required by law.
Additionally, EPA found that the facility did not have the required safety equipment and operating procedures, such as pressure relief valves, chlorine sensors or alarms, operating procedures for its ammonia refrigeration equipment, and failed to have procedures in place to notify the proper authorities if and when a chemical release occurred.
EPA's Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said, "It is paramount that facilities properly manage hazardous substances to prevent dangerous incidents or face significant Clean Air Act Penalties. When these incidents occur, first responders need to be notified immediately to ensure authorities are able to respond swiftly."
As part of the settlement, Grimmway returned to compliance and agreed to the civil penalty above.
The violations involved the Clean Air Act's Risk Management Program and the reporting requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
For more information: EPA fines Grimmway Enterprises
