Two Washington state fruit companies failed to meet risk management plan requirements under the federal Clean Air Act, according to separate settlements with the U.S. EPA. As part of the settlements, the two companies will pay fines and submit missing reports to manage ammonia use. Both companies use more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia in refrigeration. Company #1, a fresh fruit and vegetable processor will pay a fine of $134,613 for failing to meet risk management requirements for equipment maintenance since August 2008. The company has corrected the violations. In 2008, this same company was fined $98,241 for failing to submit their risk management plan since 2003 Company #2, a cold fruit storage company, failed to submit their risk management plan since 2004. The company will pay a fine of $17,030 and spend at least $58,800 implementing a supplemental environmental project. The project includes installing equipment that reduces the risk of ammonia releases and improves emergency response in case of an accidental release at two of their Washington state facilities. CLICK HERE to see the EPA news release.