DENVER, US: Yuma Ethanol LLC has agreed to pay a $5,850 civil penalty and correct violations relating to storage and use of toxic and flammable substances at its ethanol plant in Yuma, Colorado. An EPA inspection of the plant in October 2011 found the company had violated Risk Management Program regulations under the Clean Air Act. By agreeing to the settlement announced August 6, the company has certified that the facility is now in compliance with these regulations.
“These requirements ensure that facilities have up-to-date procedures in place to prevent and respond to releases of toxic chemicals used on-site. Failure to comply with these requirements can leave the public and environment at risk from accidental releases,” said Mike Gaydosh, Enforcement Director in Denver, EPA.
Yuma Ethanol facility was required to maintain a risk management plan because it exceeded the 10,000-pound storage threshold for anhydrous ammonia, an extremely hazardous chemical and natural gasoline, a flammable substance used to denature ethanol. Yuma Ethanol was storing approximately 97,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the EPA inspection.
This enforcement action will benefit the community, which includes minority and low-income areas. Minority populations comprise nearly half of the residents within a five-mile radius of the facility and 45 per cent are below poverty level. EPA enforces the Risk Management Program regulations of the Clean Air Act with the goal of preventing accidental chemical releases and minimizing the impact of releases or other accidents that may occur.
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