San Francisco-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Linde LLC $81,400 for not immediately notifying the National Response Center and the state emergency response commission of anhydrous ammonia air releases in 2007 and 2008 at its Torrance and Carson, Calif., carbon dioxide production plants. EPA said that five separate releases between December 2007 and May 2008 involved reportable quantities ranging from 250 pounds to 665 pounds. Linde LLC did not immediately notify the agencies, according to EPA. The federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act and the CERLA require companies to immediately report release quantities over 100 pounds to the proper authorities in order to ensure appropriate responses to spills and releases. In addition to the fine, the company will also be required to spend approximately $415,550 to purchase equipment upgrades as part of an environmental project that will prevent future ammonia releases into the environment.
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