A grocer has settled with EPA for alleged chemical release reporting, risk management, and emergency planning violations at its warehouse facility in Seattle, Washington and will pay EPA a $110,200 penalty. The company will also complete a Supplemental Environmental Project which includes ammonia release detection improvements valued at over $180,000. The facility is a distribution center for grocery products. On April 18, 2011, the facility released more than 3,600 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into the environment during the change out of a pressure relief valve. The Seattle Fire Department responded to the incident, evacuated the facility and transported two people to a local hospital. EPA inspectors following up on the incident found numerous violations of CERCLA, EPCRA, and RMP. Alleged violations included:
- Failure to immediately notify state and national responders of the ammonia release
- Failure to have complete information on the pressure relief system before conducting the required hazard analysis for the facility
- Failure to follow written procedures for changing out pressure relief valves.
- Failure to train an employee involved in changing out the pressure relief valve that resulted in the ammonia release.
- Deficiencies in the facility’s ammonia detection system.
- Failure to document its follow-up action on recommendations in its own report on the 2011 ammonia release.
EPA also alleges that the facility subsequently failed to timely submit a 2013 Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory form for ammonia to state and local agencies.
In addition to meeting current environmental regulations, the grocer has agreed to perform a Supplemental Environmental Project, adding next generation technologies to its ammonia detection and monitoring system. The enhancements include numerous ammonia sensors, warning devices, and emergency notification to offsite personnel. The enhancements are projected to cost $182,603.