supermarket
EPA Air
U.S. EPA settles with JWS Refrigeration for $53,481 for illegal importation of ozone-depleting substances
Release date: 11/19/2007
(11/19/07) HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined JWS Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Ltd., a Tamuning, Guam refrigeration and heating equipment services company, $53,481 for allegedly importing banned refrigerants in violation of the Clean Air Act.
The company allegedly imported 25,402 kg of hydrochlorofluorocarbon 22, an ozone-depleting substance, from sources outside the United States, a violation of the stratospheric ozone protection regulations.
“To protect stratospheric ozone, the Clean Air Act limits the importing of ozone depleting chemicals into the United States,” said Deborah Jordan, director of the EPA’s Air Division for the Pacific Southwest region. “Companies in Guam and other U.S. territories are not excluded and must comply with all stratospheric ozone protection regulations.”
A May 2006 inspection by the Guam EPA, in consultation with the U.S. EPA, identified the violations by JWS Refrigeration.
High in the atmosphere, the stratospheric ozone layer is the earth’s protective shield against excessive ultraviolet radiation. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation is responsible for increased risk of skin cancer and cataracts, depressed immune systems, decreased crop output, and the destruction of plankton, a critical link in the oceanic food chain.
The U.S. EPA’s stratospheric ozone protection program aims to prevent depletion of the ozone layer through the production phase-out and use restriction of refrigerants. Among other restrictions, the program forbids the importation of ozone-depleting substances.
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov
Failure to properly report ammonia release nets Coca-Cola Bottling Company an EPA fine of over $4,400
Release date: 09/10/2007
(Bellevue, Wash. Sept. 10, 2007) For failing to timely report the release of between 200-300 lbs of ammonia from their Bellevue, Washington facility, the BCI Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles (1150 124th Ave. NE), will pay a $4,404.75 penalty.
In addition to the penalty, Coca-Cola will also perform a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) which will provide over $17,000 to make safety improvements to its refrigeration system. This SEP is part of the implementation of several safety improvements, on which the company plans to spend more than $400,000.
Coca-Cola did not notify local and state agencies until approximately 2 ½ days after the ammonia release was discovered. No known injuries occurred as result of the release.
The ammonia release and the failure to notify appropriate agencies are violations of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
According to Mike Bussell, Director of EPA’s Office of Compliance & Enforcement in Seattle, these laws help communities prepare for and respond to chemical accidents.
“In this case, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company was very lucky that no one was injured due to the ammonia release and the 2 ½ day delay in notifying first responders,” said Bussell. “When these kinds of incidents occur, it is very important that facilities immediately notify appropriate agencies so that the necessary steps can be taken to protect the public and the environment.”
Ammonia is considered an extremely hazardous substance and is listed as a hazardous substance under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Contact Information: Suzanne Powers, (360) 753-9475, powers.suzanne@epa.gov, Stephanie Mairs, (206) 553-7359, mairs.stephanie@epa.gov, Tony Brown, (206) 553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov