Fertilizer retailers in Nebraska and Iowa have settled complaints with EPA over their management of anhydrous ammonia — specifically, allegations they did not comply with risk management provisions in the Clean Air Act.
New Cooperative, which has 43 facilities in Iowa, agreed to pay a $20,000 fine and install emergency electronic shut-off systems at no fewer than 13 locations. "The systems are designed to close all shut-off valves and shut down liquid and vapor pumps for each facility,” EPA said.
Manning Grain Company, which owns and operates a single retail facility in Burress, Neb., will pay a fine of about $46,000 to resolve violations at its facility, which include failure to prepare a Risk Management Plan and “perform proper maintenance and place safety barriers designed to prevent collisions with ammonia storage tanks.”
Manning Grain also will buy equipment for local emergency responders — 30 heat-resistant hoods and a thermal camera that identify heat sources inside buildings during responses or rescues.
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