Clearwater Paper Corporation of Lewiston, Idaho, will pay a combined $367,088 in penalties for failing to properly report releases of hazardous chlorine emissions that occurred in 2019, 2020, and 2021. This announcement was made today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Clearwater facility experienced multiple unexpected releases of chlorine gas, resulting in hundreds of pounds of the toxic chemical being emitted into the air. Chlorine is used at the facility to process pulp for paper production. Some releases were significant enough to cause evacuations and required employees to seek medical attention due to exposure.
“Communities and first responders near facilities using deadly chemicals have a need and a legal right to know when releases occur,” said EPA Region 10 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “These are not simple paperwork issues; the safety of workers, first responders, and residents rests on a company’s compliance with these requirements.”
Clearwater Paper was issued an $84,769 penalty under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and an additional $237,319 penalty under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) for its failure to immediately notify officials and provide timely follow-up reports regarding these releases. An additional $45,000 penalty under EPCRA was also imposed for failing to properly report numerous releases in its annual Toxics Release Inventory reporting.
Further details can be found in the following documents:
- Consent Agreement and Final Order (EPCRA-10-2024-0110)
- Consent Agreement and Final Order (EPCRA-10-2024-0033)
