U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA settles chemical accident prevention planning violations at eight Yakima Valley cold storage facilities.

EPA: “Zillah and Yakima families deserve better protection from chemical hazards.”

(Seattle – July 22, 2021) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled alleged civil chemical accident prevention and preparedness violations with three separate companies operating a total of eight cold storage facilities in Yakima County, Washington. Today’s settlements, reached under Section 312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), are part of EPA’s nationwide campaign to protect unfairly burdened communities and reduce or eliminate accidental releases at industrial and chemical facilities sited in or near neighborhoods similar to those in Zillah and Yakima.

Each facility owner or operator has agreed to pay a penalty as part of these settlements:

1. Company:  Stadelman Fruit LLC                                      Penalty: $238,875 

Facilities:

• 1st Avenue, Zillah, Washington
• Cheyne Road, Zillah, Washington
• Bella Terra Road, Zillah, Washington                    
• West Northstone Parkway, Zillah, Washington 

2. Company:  Hollingbery and Sons, Inc.                            Penalty $21,600

Facility: 

• North 1st Avenue, Yakima, Washington 

3. Company: Hollingbery CA and Cold Storage LLC           Penalty $96,600

       Facilities:

• North 1st Avenue, Yakima, Washington (3 facilities )

All involved facilities use Anhydrous Ammonia for Refrigerated Cold Storage.  Because Anhydrous Ammonia can cause serious, often irreversible health effects when released, it is considered an Extremely Hazardous Substance. Under EPCRA, Anhydrous Ammonia has a 500-lb. reporting & planning requirement threshold.  In addition to its potential harmful health effects from inhalation and skin contact, Anhydrous Ammonia is highly flammable.

EPCRA Section 312 requires companies to file hazardous chemical inventory report forms with the State Emergency Response Commission, the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the local Fire Department each year by March 1^st.  Timely, accurate reporting helps protect responders and surrounding communities in the event of an accidental, uncontrolled release of hazardous chemicals.

 

 

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