PG&E Cited for Chemical Safety Violations Under Clean Air Act
The EPA has reached its first-ever settlement under the Accidental Release Rule, holding PG&E accountable for Clean Air Act violations at its Hinkley facility and marking a new era in chemical safety enforcement.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- July 28, 2025
The EPA has announced its first-ever settlement under the Accidental Release Prevention requirements of the Clean Air Act, reaching an agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) over violations at its facility in Hinkley, Calif.
According to the agency, the settlement resolves alleged non-compliance with Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, which mandates that facilities handling hazardous chemicals develop and implement Risk Management Programs (RMPs) to prevent accidental chemical releases.
This marks the EPA’s inaugural enforcement action under the Accidental Release Rule, which was added as part of the Biden administration’s expanded focus on community safety and environmental justice.
“This settlement underscores our commitment to holding companies accountable for managing chemical safety and preventing dangerous releases into surrounding communities,” said an EPA spokesperson.
PG&E will pay a civil penalty (amount undisclosed at press time) and has agreed to undertake corrective actions to improve safety procedures at the Hinkley compressor station. The EPA emphasized that the facility’s RMP deficiencies included gaps in hazard analysis, operational procedures, and emergency response planning.
Landmark Enforcement Under Strengthened RMP Rule
The Accidental Release Rule settlement is the first of its kind following EPA’s recent final amendments to the RMP regulations. Those revisions require facilities to enhance coordination with local emergency responders, update hazard analyses, and increase public transparency.
The action aligns with EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives, which target industrial facilities posing the highest risk of catastrophic chemical accidents—especially in underserved communities.
What Comes Next
EPA officials have stated they will continue to inspect high-risk facilities and pursue similar enforcement cases to prevent accidents before they occur. Facilities that store or use extremely hazardous substances are being urged to review their RMPs and ensure full compliance with federal regulations.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for EPOnline.