The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Frontier Ag Inc., Goodland, Kan., to resolve alleged violations of federal Clean Air Act regulations at three ammonia fertilizer facilities owned by the company in Kansas. Two of the facilities are in Bird City, and one in Menlo.
In a Jan. 27 statement, EPA said it conducted inspections in June and October 2018 and determined that Frontier Ag “failed to submit, implement, and update risk management plans for the release of anhydrous ammonia; failed to ensure that the facilities’ processes for handling anhydrous ammonia were designed in compliance with good engineering practices; failed to perform required tests and inspect processing equipment at the facilities; and failed to update required documentation.”
In response to the findings, EPA said Frontier Ag took the necessary steps to return all three facilities to compliance. At the time of the inspections, each facility contained more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, making them subject to Risk Management Program regulations.
Under the terms of the settlement, EPA said Frontier Ag has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $71,652. In addition to achieving regulatory compliance, the company also agreed to complete a project designed to enhance safety at six of its ammonia fertilizer facilities by installing emergency shutoff valves and emergency stop buttons. Frontier Ag estimates the project will cost at least $55,000.
Frontier Ag is a full-service, member-owned cooperative offering grain, feed, agronomy, petroleum, shop, and transportation products and services. The company is one of the largest agribusiness co-ops in Kansas, with more than 300 employees and nearly 30 locations across 11 counties in northwestern Kansas.