Failure to Report Chemicals - Pacific Functional Fluids Fined over USD 21,000

• Date: December 16, 2010
• Source: Admin

Violations

The facility holds 10,000 pounds or more each of ethylene glycol, potassium hydroxide and acetic acid. Being the threshold, it should be reported to the Tacoma Fire Department, Pierce County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the State Emergency Response Commission under the provisions of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. They need this information to protect the community and themselves when a dangerous chemical release occurs.  

In addition to paying the penalty, the company will install a new containment system costing more than USD 31,000 for its railcar slots.  The system will capture and channel spills and prevent chemicals from entering the environment.  

Regulations

EPA administers the Oil Spill Program to prevent possible spills and provide procedural guidelines for clean-up operations. Spills occurring on land and within inland waters fall under EPA’s jurisdiction, which includes 10 different regions within the U.S. Program regulations identify petroleum and non-petroleum oil materials as potential environmental threats and act as a means for regulating the operations that handle these materials.

Oil Pollution Act

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Clean Water Act of 1973 outline the regulations framed by the EPA for oil spills on land and in mainland waters. The Oil Pollution Act empowers the EPA to frame guidelines concerning oil cleanup, containment and other preventive measures. As a result, any persons or facilities found responsible for an oil spill are subject to any directives issued by the EPA concerning handling and storage procedures.