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Two Washington Fruit Companies Violate Air Regulations

Two Washington Fruit Companies Violate Air Regulations

 

On October 2, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that two fruit companies in east Washington State failed to meet requirements under the Clean Air Act.  The violations result from the misuse of ammonia, and the two companies will have to pay fines and submit numerous reports.  
 
The EPA reached two separate settlements with the Dovex Fruit Company and the Clasen Family Company.  According to the Clean Air Act, companies that handle and store a large amount of chemicals need to form a risk management program that includes an accident prevention program as well as an emergency response plan.  The companies failed to establish such risk managements programs.  
 
According to Wally Moon, the EPA’s Pacific Northwest Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Unit Manager, “Preventing an accidental release of dangerous chemicals like ammonia protects the lives of workers, responders and nearby residents.” 
 
The EPA reports than both companies store and use over 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia.  The chemical is currently one of the most “potentially dangerous chemicals” currently used for refrigeration and agriculture.  According to the EPA, “Ammonia is a colorless gas that can cause severe burns to skin, eyes, throat, lungs, and with high enough exposure, death.” 
 
The Dovex Fruit Company is located in Wenatchee, Washington and processes fruits and vegetables.  The company is ordered to pay a fine of $134,613 to the EPA because they failed to meet risk management requirements since August of 2008.  The company was also fined $98,241 in 2008.  
 
The Clasen Family Company is located in Union Gap and Yakima, Washington.  The company stores cold fruit and they were fined $17,030 for failing to submit a risk management plan.  The company is ordered to spend at least $58,800 on the implementation of an environmental project that will reduce the risk of ammonia releasing into the air.  
 
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Finalized $14.5 Million Cleanup Plan for Holley NY

Finalized $14.5 Million Cleanup Plan for Holley NY

 

On October 3, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a finalized plan for the cleanup of contaminated soil and ground water at Diaz Chemical Corporation in Holley, New York.  The site is a Superfund site where soil and ground water were contaminated with volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.
 
The finalized plan was announced at the public meeting in Holley on September 5, 2012.  After 30 days of public comment, the EPA is going to finalize the plan.
 
The Diaz Chemical Corporation bought the site in 1974 where it then began to manufacture chemicals for agricultural, pharmaceutical, photographic, and multiple other purposes.  In January of 2002, a safety valve ruptured at the facility, and a large amount of chemicals were released in a surrounding residential area.  Many of the surrounding residents started to experience sore throats, headaches, eye irritation, rashes, and nosebleeds.
 
Some of the surrounding residents were relocated in temporary housing that was provided by Diaz Chemical.  However, the company said it would pay for the costs of housing the residents as of May in 2002.  The EPA took over the relocation costs, and Diaz Chemical filed for bankruptcy and abandoned the site in June of 2003.  The company left behind a large amount of drums and tanks, and the EPA listed the site as one of the most contaminated sites on the Superfund list in 2004.  In 2005, the EPA purchased a total of 8 vacated homes and provided financial assistance to homeowners who wanted to permanently relocate. 
 
The finalized plan for cleanup involves introducing electrodes into the ground to heat the soil and groundwater.  The heat will cause the contaminants to evaporate and turn to stream.  The EPA will then collect and treat the vapor and steam.  The EPA is going to rely on natural processes to dilute and decontaminate the ground water in order to reach federal levels for declaring a cleanup successful.  The EPA has already spent $12 million on the project already, and the total project will cost $14.5 million.
 
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Joplin Receives $2.4M for Contaminated Soil Projects

Joplin Receives $2.4M for Contaminated Soil Projects

 

On October 4, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it was providing the city of Joplin, Missouri with $2.4 million to sample and clean up contaminated soils that were displaced in May of 2011 when an EF-5 tornado tore through the city.  The contaminated soil contains lead and cadmium.  
 
On May 22, 2011, the EF-5 tornado touched down in Joplin and killed 161 people while injuring thousands of others.  As the tornado swept through the heart of the city, it destroyed 8,000 structures like homes, schools, churches, businesses, and more.  As the tornado tore up foundations, trees, and the soil itself, it exposed soil from old mine waste areas or fill from the mines that was during construction.  The cleanup efforts are also believe to have exposed contaminated soil.  
 
The new federal funding will allow the city of Joplin to replace soil at approximately 240 homes, parks, playgrounds and other areas over the next three years.  The EPA reports that it has been removing mine and smelter wastes from the city of Joplin since the mid-1990s.  Before the tornado, about 2,600 contaminated yards had been cleared of lead and cadmium.  Now, the EPA estimates that about 1,500 to 2,000 more areas now need soil remediation.  
 
Soil remediation for the cleanup efforts after the tornado began in April of 2012.  Since then, 26 yards have been completed, 21 properties are currently being worked on, and another 28 properties are approved and awaiting cleanup.
 
According to EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks, “EPA and the city of Joplin have built a long-term partnership.  For two decades, the Agency has been helping the city provide a clean and healthy environment for its residents.  When EPA’s staff and contractors mobilized within hours of the 2011 tornado to join in the recovery effort, that marked the latest chapter in the continuing story of our excellent relationship.” 
 
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

40 Freight Companies Awarded for Efficiency

40 Freight Companies Awarded for Efficiency

 

On October 9, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency announced 40 freight industry companies were receiving the 2012 SmartWay Excellence Awards.  The achievements go to companies that have worked to move freight efficiently and reduce carbon dioxide emissions at the same time.  
 
The partners under the SmartWay award have generated $6.5 billion in fuel savings since 2004 and saved the United States 55 million barrels of oil as well.  
 
Gina McCarthy, the Assistant Administrator as the Office of Air and Radiation, stated: “Recipients of this year’s SmartWay Excellence Awards are reaping the business benefits and environmental rewards of cutting petroleum use in their transportation operations.  By participating in EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership and working to reduce costs and emissions, these companies are moving our nation forward to a healthier and more secure future.” 
 
The winners of this year’s awards are companies that have reduced the most emissions because of embracing new forms of technology and using other strategies and tools as well.  According to the EPA, “SmartWay’s clean air achievements include reducing 23.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 478,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 22,000 tons of particulate matters to better help protect the health and environment of the nation.”  
 
The EPA also reports that SmartWay made some recent changes.  They now help companies upgrade to technology that is capable of tracking the energy and environmental efficiency of the freight operations.  The new technology can be used by shippers and logistical partners to plan routes, selections, and more.  
 
The SmartWay Excellence Award was held at the annual Management Conference & Exhibit by the American Trucking Association in Las Vegas and the annual conference for Supply Chain Management Professionals in Atlanta.  
 
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Cleanup Decision for Woonasquatucket River in RI

Cleanup Decision for Woonasquatucket River in RI

 

On October 10, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has selected a cleanup plan for contaminated soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater for the Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund site in North Providence. 
 
The EPA reports that Dioxins and Polychlorinated Biphenyals (PCBs) are the main contaminants at the site.  However, the EPA reports the following contaminants as well: furans, metals, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, and multiple pesticides.  
 
The cleanup plan includes the following: 
 
• the removal and treatment of off-site buried waste and a RCRA Subtitle C cap over the source area for the contamination
• the excavation of contaminated sediment from the Woonasquatucket river and floodplain soil up to the Allendale and Lyman Mill reaches
• the placement of a soil cover over contamination in Oxbow in order to encourage natural recovery and preserve the habitat
• the enforcement of controls to monitor the cleanup plan and maintain the projects
 
In addition to the cleanup plans above, the EPA will also start a mediation process with numerous parties who are responsible for the contamination.  The cleanup plan is estimated to cost $104 million.  
 
The EPA reports that they will start to contact property owners along the Allendale and Lyman Mill Ponds in North Providence in the next couple of months.  The EPA will tell property owners how they can protect themselves and limit their exposure to the contaminated soil.
 
Property owners are not the only people at risk of exposure.  The EPA states that recreational visitors like anglers and construction workers may be exposed to the contamination.  A large amount of wildlife is also at risk of exposure.  
 
The cleanup plan will address which parts of the Woonasquatucket River are not safe for recreational use, prevent more contaminants from entering the river, protect wildlife, and reduce water contamination to federal drinking water standards.  
 
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

$1.2 Million Issued to Improve Indoor Air Quality

$1.2 Million Issued to Improve Indoor Air Quality

 

On October 10, 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced that it was awarding $1.2 million to 32 different state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and tribes.  The EPA is certain the support to the governments and organizations will lead to better air quality in classrooms, communities, and even private homes.  
 
A large amount of the funding is going to education and training opportunities that address the risks of indoor contaminants like radon and other particles that can cause asthma.  The projects are geared to children, families, and governments.  For example, some of the funds will allow speakers to educate parents about asthma triggers, and other funds will help school districts create and implement management plans for air quality.  
 
Some of the projects are directed toward low income families as well because these families are usually the most affected by bad air quality indoors.  
 
Gina McCarthy, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, stated, “EPA is proud to be working with our awardees across the nation to improve the air we breathe at school, work and home.  American communities face serious health and environmental challenges from air pollution.  This effort gives us an opportunity to improve indoor air quality by increasing awareness of environmental health risks.”  
 
The EPA reports that air pollutants in buildings can cause symptoms like a burning nose and throat, sore eyes, headaches, and even fatigue.  Serious complications can even occur such as respiratory illness and, in some cases, cancer.  
 
The projects will mainly address air quality awareness and reduce contaminants in the following ways: 
 
• increasing air quality controls in all levels of the community
• encouraging air management practices in schools
• increasing the testing of homes for radon and increasing the number of homes built with resistant features for radon
• increasing awareness of asthma triggers 
 
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

$30 Million Awarded for Clean Diesel Projects

$30 Million Awarded for Clean Diesel Projects

 

On October 11, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it was awarding $30 million to go to clean diesel projects.  The funds are part of a continuing campaign that is trying to reduce the amount of harmful diesel exhaust—which is a main factor in asthma attacks, respiratory disease, and even premature deaths.  
 
The ongoing campaign is called the Diesel Emission Reduction Program, or DERA.  The program aims to “replace, retrofit or repower older diesel-powered engines like marine vessels, locomotives, trucks and busses.”  
 
The EPA admits that diesel-powered engines last a long time, are fuel-efficient and stand as a major component in transportation and manufacturing for the United States’ economy.  Yet, unlike newer diesel engines, older diesel engines are taking a toll on the environment and human health.  The EPA states that older diesel engines can release harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).  These air pollutants are direct causes of serious health problems like asthma, lung disease, heart disease, and premature death.  
 
The project’s funds are centering on the 11 million older diesel engines that are still in operation and continue to emit large amounts of pollution.  The winners of this year’s awards initially submitted proposals for increasing health and the environment in specific areas with current air quality problems.  By targeting these areas, the recipients of the awards and the EPA hope that these communities will have cleaner air and higher levels of health.  
 
This is the first year that the EPA is targeting large engines like those used for marine vessels and locomotives.  The EPA is capable of addressing these larger engines because of increased funding. 
 
The DERA project was started in 2005 and it was first funded by the EPA in 2008.  Since then, the EPA has awarded more than 500 grants across the nation.  
 
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Toxic Contamination Agreement in NY

Toxic Contamination Agreement in NY

On September 19, 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced a signed agreement that requires the General Electric Company to manage the maintenance and possible replacement of treatment equipment on wells in the Cayuga County Groundwater Contamination Superfund site in New York. 

According to Judith A. Enck, the EPA Regional Administrator, “This agreement allows EPA to continue the important work of address toxic contamination at this site without having tax payers foot the bill.”

The drinking water was initially contaminated when volatile organic compounds ran off into ground water from a facility in Auburn, New York.  A company called Powerex, Inc. and GE both manufactured semiconductors at the facility on Genessee Street.  The EPA detected contamination on 55 properties in 2000 and proceeded to install treatment systems on the wells.  Since then, the EPA only maintained a total of four treatment systems because the other properties had been connected to public water supplies. 

Even though the EPA has handed over maintenance responsibilities to GE, the EPA is still working on a long-term cleanup strategy.

A proposed cleanup strategy reported on August 2, 2012 involves dividing the contaminated area into three different sections.  The first section is directly south of the formerly used facility, and the EPA will use a term called bioremediation.  The process introduces chemicals and “biological enhancements” to breakdown the volatile organic compounds.

The EPA will rely on natural processes for the other two sections.  The EPA believes the right conditions exist underground in the two sections that can work to eliminate the compounds quickly.  Routine collection and analysis of the ground water will continue. 

The contaminated site was added to the Superfund list in 2002.  Since its creation by Congress in 1980, the Superfund investigates and cleans up the most hazardous sites in the United States.    The only time taxpayers feel the impacts of the Superfund is when those responsible for the pollution cannot be located or provide financially incapable of such cleanup efforts. 

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Competitive Selection for Sustainable Growth Assistance

Competitive Selection for Sustainable Growth Assistance

On September 19, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency called for communities to apply for sustainable growth assistance in their area.  In order to qualify for the assistance, the communities must show how they increased economic opportunity while protecting the health and environment in the past.

If the community is selected, the EPA will offer assistance through the Building Block for Sustainable Communities program.  This specific program offers tools with applications in rural, suburban, and urban areas.  Some of the available tools and strategies include:

·         strong growth and economic development to receive better results from public and private investments

·         “green street strategies” to manage storm water

·         land strategies for water quality protection

·         parking audits for parking in current and planned areas of land

·         community design for elderly populations to help residents live at home longer

·         “bikeshare system planning” to develop new commuting ideas

·         green building toolkits

·         small city and rural development to promote “community characteristics”

Application must be submitted to the EPA between September 26 and October 26.  The EPA is hosting a webinar about the program and application process on September 21 between 1:00 and 2:30 Eastern time.

The EPA is selecting a total amount of 44 communities in the current round of assistance.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation will make selections, and the EPA states the collaboration will manage “federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently.”

If a community is selected, the EPA will send experts to the community for a two-day workshop that explains policies and practices.  The community can also learn about smart growth development during the workshops.

The Building Blocks program began in 2010 and the EPA has received requests from over 600 communities in the last two years.  The EPA has provided assistance to 140 communities in just two years.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Soil Cleanup to Begin in Lincklaen NY

Soil Cleanup to Begin in Lincklaen NY

On September 19, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency stated that a $10 million cleanup initiative of contaminated soil will begin mid to late September at the Superfund site called Solvent Savers.  The site is a chemical waste recovery facility located in Chenango County. 

According to the EPA, the soil and ground water is polluted with volatile organic compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs.  These chemical can cause serious damage to a person’s health.

Solvent Savers, Inc. maintained a chemical waste recovery program at the contaminated site on Union Valley Road from 1967 to 1974.  During this time, industrial solvents and other harmful chemicals were reprocessed and disposed.  Many of the chemicals—in liquid, solid, and sludge form—were buried in drums on the site. 

The EPA has removed about 160 drums and parts that were buried on the site, and much of the soil around the drums was also removed. 

The EPA has already used a “soil vapor extraction treatment system” that aims to reduce and eliminate volatile organic compounds within the soil.  The EPA estimates this process reduced the volume of contaminated soil from 135,000 cubic yards to only 6,500 cubic yards.  The rest of soil is located in two “hot spots” with PCB contamination as well. 

The soil contaminated with both volatile organic compounds and PCBS will be cleared out from the site and placed in EPA-approved areas.  Soil with high levels of PCBs will undergo a process that cements and binds the contaminants before disposal. 

About 15,000 cubic yards will be removed from the site.  The areas will be filled with clean soil and planted vegetation.  The EPA is overseeing the operation, and the following companies are paying for contamination and cleanup: General Electric Company, Inc., American Locker Group, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation, Pass & Symour Corporation, and the United States Air Force.    

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

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