Maine Storage Owner Pays for Chemical Reporting Violations
The owner of a storage facility in Bangor, Maine, will pay a fine of $17,121 to settle U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims that it violated chemical reporting requirements under the mergency Planning and Community-Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
According to EPA, Galt Block Warehouse failed to prepare and submit emergency and hazardous chemical inventory forms to the local emergency planning committee, the state emergency response commission, and the local fire department, in violation of EPCRA. During an inspection in May 2007, the agency determined that Galt was storing sulfuric acid, lead, and propane gas in amounts greater than the minimum threshold levels allowed. In particular, Galt had 3,190 pounds of sulfuric acid, exceeding the threshold limit of 500 pounds before a Tier II form must be submitted. Sulfuric acid, lead, ammonia and propane gas are hazardous substances that require special storage and handling.
The use of these chemicals must be reported under federal laws so that emergency responders are able to take necessary safety precautions to protect themselves and the public in the event of an emergency situation at the facility.