U.S. EPA, Region 5, recently entered into an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with Agrium U.S., Inc., to resolve Clean Air Act violations that occurred at its fertilizer distribution facility, located at 1921 Old Naples Road in Meredosia, Illinois. On January 12, 2009, Agrium reported an accidental release of approximately 3,100 pounds of anhydrous ammonia from its ammonia storage tank flare. EPA issued to Agrium a Notice and Finding of Violation alleging that it violated the Illinois SIP at IAC § 201.141 by failing to properly activate several flow control, ignition, and alarm features on the ammonia flare, resulting in the release of ammonia into the atmosphere. Agrium has since installed additional safety equipment and implemented additional operating procedures to ensure that future ammonia releases do not occur. The ACO requires Agrium to maintain the additional equipment and operating procedures and to submit semi-annual documentation of its compliance for a period of two years.