The U.S. EPA on July 27 announced a settlement with Grimmway Enterprises Inc., Bakersfield, Calif., the world’s largest carrot producer, for violations of the Clean Air Act and the emergency notification-related requirements of two other federal laws at its Arvin, Calif., facility. The company will pay $214,103 in civil penalties.
EPA said approximately 2,335 pounds of anhydrous ammonia were released at the Arvin facility on Aug. 29, 2019. A subsequent EPA inspection found Grimmway failed to notify state emergency authorities and the National Response Center immediately after the release.
The inspection also revealed that Grimmway did not have required safety information for equipment, such as pressure relief valves; lacked required safety equipment, such as chlorine sensors or alarms; was missing some required operating procedures for its ammonia refrigeration equipment; and failed to have procedures in place to notify the appropriate agencies about chemical releases.
The settlement relates to violations of the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program, as well as the reporting requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. In response to EPA’s enforcement action, Grimmway returned to compliance and agreed to pay the civil penalty.