On October 17, 2019, EPA Region 10 and Multistar Industries, Inc. (Othello, Washington) entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order to resolve alleged violations of the chemical release reporting requirements of the Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (?CERCLA?) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (?EPCRA?), as well as the annual chemical inventory reporting requirements of EPCRA.
EPA alleges that Multistar failed to immediately report an ammonia release at the facility in 2014 to the National Response Center and the Washington State Emergency Response Commission (?Washington SERC?), and to promptly file follow-up written reports with the Washington SERC and the Adams County Emergency Planning Committee (?Adams County LEPC?) as required by CERCLA Section 103 and EPCRA Section 304. EPA also alleges that Multistar failed to promptly file an annual Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Form (Tier II) for ammonia for calendar year 2014 with the Washington SERC, the Adams County LEPC, and the local fire department. Respondent agreed to pay a penalty of $40,000.