EPA issues 2013 Toxic Release Inventory data for Pacific Southwest region

From EPA:

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2015

Media Contact Information:

Hawaii/Pacific: Dean Higuchi, higuchi.dean@epa.gov, (808) 541-2711
Central/Southern California: Nahal Mogharabi, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov, (213) 244-1815
Northern California: Suzanne Skadowski, skadowski.suzanne@epa.gov, (415) 972-3165
Arizona/Nevada: Margot Perez-Sullivan, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov, (415) 947-4149

EPA issues 2013 Toxic Release Inventory data for Pacific Southwest region

Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii and Pacific Territories data available

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report that showed that the majority of toxic chemicals managed at industrial facilities in the U.S. were not released into the environment. Nationally in 2013, approximately 84 percent of the 26 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were managed through the use of preferred practices such as recycling.

Of the 4 billion pounds that were disposed of or otherwise released to the environment, 66 percent went to land, 19 percent to air, 5 percent to water, and 10 percent was transferred to other facilities. Individual fact sheets for the Pacific Southwest Region states and territories were also made available today.

"We all have a right to know what toxic chemicals are being used and released into our environment, and what progress companies are making to reduce, recycle or prevent waste from being generated in the first place,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This year, our online database known as the TRI Explorer is more robust than ever, and we encourage the public to make use of the extensive information available there.”

In the TRI, a "release" generally refers to a chemical that is emitted to the air, water, or placed in some type of land disposal unit. Most of these releases are subject to a variety of regulatory requirements designed to limit human and environmental harm.

TRI data is submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), by July 1 of each year facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.

Pacific Southwest State Highlights:

ARIZONA

A total of 257 Arizona facilities reported 70.1 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013. Freeport-McMoran Miami, a metal mine, and the Asarco LLC Ray Complex/Hayden Smelter were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases. Arizona’s total reported on-site and off-site releases decreased when compared to the 86 million pounds reported in 2012. For detailed Arizona information and the list of the top facilities, please visit:http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=AZ&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1

CALIFORNIA

A total of 1,263 California facilities reported a 42.9 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013. California’s total reported on-site and off-site releases increased when compared to the 32 million pounds reported in 2012. Clean Harbors Buttonwillow, a hazardous waste facility and the Mesquite Mine were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases. For detailed California information and the list of the top facilities, please visit:http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=CA&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1

HAWAII

A total of 35 facilities reported 3 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013. Hawaii’s total reported on-site and off-site releases increased when compared to the 2.7 million pounds reported in 2012. AES Hawaii Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Kahe Generating Station, both electric generation utilities, were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases. For detailed Hawaii information and the list of the top facilities, please visit:http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=HI&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1

NEVADA

A total of 133 Nevada facilities reported 370 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013. Nevada’s total reported on-site and off-site releases increased when compared to the 286 million pounds reported in 2012. Newmont Mining Corp’s Twin Creeks mine and their Copper Canyon Facility Clean were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases. For detailed Nevada information and the list of the top facilities, please visit:http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=NV&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1

Territory Highlights:

AMERICAN SAMOA

In 2013, American Samoa total releases were 25 pounds from one facility, Star Kist Samoa Co facility’s air releases of ammonia. For detailed American Samoa information please visit:http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=AS&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1

COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

A total of eight facilities reported 15,370 pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013, a decrease in total reported on-site and off-site releases when compared to 2012 data. The Commonwealth Utilities Corp, an electric generation utility and the Mariana Acquisition Corp’s Saipan Terminal, a petroleum bulk terminal were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases. For detailed CNMI information and the top facilities, please visit:http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=MP&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1

GUAM

A total of 12 facilities reported 517,157 pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013. Guam’s total reported on-site and off-site releases decreased when compared to the 572,000 pounds reported in 2012. Guam Power Authority, an electric generation utility and the Naval Base Guam’s Apra Harbor wastewater plant were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases. For detailed Guam information and the list of the top facilities, please visit:http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=GU&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1

The TRI report is available in a new interactive, web-based format called “TRI Explorer” that features analyses and interactive maps showing data at a state, county, city, and zip code level. In addition, information about industry efforts to reduce pollution is accessible through the expanded TRI Pollution Prevention (P2) Search Tool, where the public can now identify P2 successes and compare environmental performance among facilities and companies that provide data to the TRI program. 

To access the 2013 TRI National Analysis report, including long-term trends and localized analyses, visitwww.epa.gov/tri/nationalanalysis

More information on facility efforts to reduce toxic chemical releases, including the new P2 parent company comparison report, is available at www.epa.gov/tri/p2

EPA is hosting a TRI Database training webinar for credentialed news media on Thursday, January 15, 2014, 7 AM to 8 AM PST. Dial: (877) 887-8949 Conference ID: 65736376. Web: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/r17ygi0p689/

For more information on U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest region News and Events, please visit:http://www.epa.gov/region9/newsevents/  

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