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Washington Beef settles
- By Review Staff
- Published 09/24/2008
- Agriculture
- Unrated
Washington Beef in Toppenish will spend nearly $116,000 to settle alleged risk management program violations under the federal Clean Air Act.
The Washington Beef facility uses more than 10,000 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia for refrigeration purposes. At that level of use, the Clean Air Act requires the company to implement a Risk Management Program.
Under the terms of the settlement, the company will pay a penalty of $25,942, and spend at least $90,000 implementing a supplemental environmental project, within a year, that requires the purchase and installation of a new internal ammonia alarm system and related safety equipment.
In the event of an ammonia release at the facility, this system is expected to improve both response time and safety for employees, emergency responders and the local community.
According to legal documents filed in the case, an inspection took place June 21, 2006 at Washington Beef’s cold storage warehouse in Toppenish.
Based on the EPA inspection and follow-up information provided by the company, EPA determined that Washington Beef failed to comply with several risk management program requirements from at least August 2, 2004 through June 1, 2007. The violations have since been corrected.
Risk Management Plans have been required for facilities that use, handle or store more than 10,000 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia in a single process since June 21, 1999.
The Washington Beef facility uses more than 10,000 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia for refrigeration purposes. At that level of use, the Clean Air Act requires the company to implement a Risk Management Program.
Under the terms of the settlement, the company will pay a penalty of $25,942, and spend at least $90,000 implementing a supplemental environmental project, within a year, that requires the purchase and installation of a new internal ammonia alarm system and related safety equipment.
In the event of an ammonia release at the facility, this system is expected to improve both response time and safety for employees, emergency responders and the local community.
According to legal documents filed in the case, an inspection took place June 21, 2006 at Washington Beef’s cold storage warehouse in Toppenish.
Based on the EPA inspection and follow-up information provided by the company, EPA determined that Washington Beef failed to comply with several risk management program requirements from at least August 2, 2004 through June 1, 2007. The violations have since been corrected.
Risk Management Plans have been required for facilities that use, handle or store more than 10,000 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia in a single process since June 21, 1999.