***Press Release***
(Denver, Colo. - Aug 6, 2012) Yuma Ethanol, LLC has agreed to pay a $5,850
civil penalty and correct violations relating to the 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 today, 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,” said Mike Gaydosh, EPA’s Enforcement
Director in Denver. “Failure to comply with these requirements can leave the
public and environment at risk from accidental releases."
Under the Clean Air Act, the 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 percent
are below poverty level. Approximately 35 percent of the area’s population is
Hispanic.
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. The establishment of
effective risk management plans helps companies, industries and municipalities
operate responsibly, assists emergency responders by providing vital information
necessary to address accidents and other incidents, protects the environment by
preventing and minimizing damage from accidental releases, and keeps communities
safer.
For more information on the Clean Air Act and risk management requirements:
http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/rmp/caa_faqs.htm
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