An ethanol production company in Torrington, Wyo. has been charged with a $49,000 fine by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Wyoming Ethanol, LLS has allegedly been charged with the fines due to the company’s failure to report the use of certain hazardous chemicals, which is in violation of federal right-to-know laws, according to the EPA.
Wyoming Ethanol’s failure to report chemicals also put it in violation of the Clean Air Act, which regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources and allows the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards, according to the EPA.
The company was found in violation of these standards when the EPA inspected its facilities in May 2012.
“Companies that use chemicals and substances which pose a potential danger are responsible for reporting those chemicals to the Toxic Release Inventory and having a robust risk management program in place,” Mike Gaydosh, director of EPA’s enforcement program in Denver, said. “Failure to do so places the environment, employees, and the nearby community at risk. We are encouraged that Wyoming Ethanol has been cooperative in correcting the violations and coming into compliance.”
The company also did not file a Toxic Chemical Release Inventory form, which state the types of chemicals that are used and processed at its facilities. Failure to file this form violates the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, according to the EPA.
By agreeing to pay the fines, Wyoming Ethanol is now saying that it has complied with the regulations and is no longer violating the terms of the Clean Air Act of EPCRA.
