The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with J.R. Simplot Company regarding violations of federal environmental and public health laws at its fertilizer manufacturing facility in Lathrop, California. The EPA found that the company breached the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program. As part of the settlement, J.R. Simplot will pay a civil penalty of $363,700.
“To protect workers, first responders and the public, it is essential that any facility handling dangerous chemicals such as ammonia and sulfuric acid take steps to reduce the risk of releases,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This settlement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to hold accountable any company that fails to fully follow our public safety and environmental protection laws.”
The violations by J.R. Simplot at their Lathrop facility included:
- Failing to immediately report releases of ammonia and sulfuric acid in 2018 to appropriate parties.
- Inaccurately documenting that equipment at the facility complied with good engineering practices and industry safety standards.
- Inadequately developing and implementing written safety operating procedures.
- Not conducting required safety training for staff.
- Performing inadequate inspections and tests on certain equipment.
- Failing to investigate all incidents that could have resulted in catastrophic releases of harmful substances.
- Not reviewing or updating the facility’s emergency response plan.
Under federal law, facilities holding reportable quantities of various substances must notify first responders promptly when releases exceed specified quantities. More information can be found on EPA’s Emergency Release Notifications webpage.
Additionally, EPA's Clean Air Act Risk Management Program regulations aim to prevent accidental chemical releases in communities and environments. Facilities with more than a threshold quantity of regulated substances must develop an RMP plan submitted to EPA.
For more details on reporting possible violations of environmental laws, visit EPA's enforcement reporting website.
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