EPA Settles With Dyno Nobel Over Alleged Violations at Cheyenne Plant
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has settled with Dyno Nobel over allegations that the company failed to comply with hazardous chemical emergency release notification requirements at its Cheyenne plant, the agency announced Wednesday.
The EPA says it conducted an inspection at Dyno Nobel's facility at 8305 Otto Road and found that the company failed to submit required written notifications of anhydrous ammonia releases to the Cheyenne/Laramie County Emergency Management Agency on two separate occasions, in violation of Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requirements.
While Dyno Nobel did provide immediate notification to the local agency about the occurrence of the releases, the EPA says it failed to provide the required written follow-up notifications to specify any actions taken to address and contain the releases and specifically identify any known or anticipated health risks associated with the releases.
"Facilities that store hazardous materials like anhydrous ammonia have an obligation to follow regulations designed to protect our communities and environment from potentially catastrophic consequences of accidents," said Suzanne Bohan, Director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division.
"Failure to comply with the law puts first responders and members of the surrounding community in harm’s way," Bohan added.
The EPA says Dyno Nobel has paid a $20,352 penalty to resolve the alleged violations.