EPA fines Shasta Beverages, Inc. $11,900 for Chemical Reporting Violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently fined Shasta Beverages, Inc., over violations of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act at its soft drink manufacturing facility, located at 301 S 29th Street in Phoenix, Ariz.
To settle the case, Shasta Beverages, Inc., will pay a penalty of $11,900 for failing to file annual chemical inventory forms with state and local emergency response agencies for chlorine and ammonia stored at its facility in 2003 through 2005.
“It is essential that facilities storing hazardous chemicals provide timely and accurate information about the risks posed by these chemicals,” said Daniel Meer, branch chief for emergency response prevention and preparedness for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region.
“Without this information, state and local emergency planners and responders cannot be adequately prepared to protect our communities in the event of an accidental or intentional release of those chemicals.”
Following the inspection, the S 29th Street facility filed the required forms and brought the company into compliance with their reporting requirements.
Enacted in 1986, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires facilities report on-site chemicals to ensure emergency responders take proper precautions in the event an accidental or intentional release occurs.
For more information on the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act, please visit EPAs web site at:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/ceppoweb.nsf/content/EPCRA.htm
This article originally appeared in the 09/01/2007 issue of Environmental Protection.