EPA: Four R.I. firms settle Right-to-Know charges

BOSTON – Four Rhode Island firms have agreed to pay fines of $2,000 apiece to settle charges they failed to submit the chemical inventory reports required under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England regional office.
The local companies – Geib Refining Corp., National Chain Co. and M. Weisman Roofing Co., all of Warwick, and Technodic Inc. of Providence – are among 11 entities across southern New England with which the EPA has recently reached expedited settlements, the agency said.
They included metal plating and treating operations that use acids and cyanides plus fuel and roofing companies that handle large amounts of petroleum products.
“Chemical reporting is very important for the public at large, and it is essential for the safety of first responders if there is an accident at one of these facilities,” said Robert W. Varney, the EPA’s regional administrator.
“Regular reporting of hazardous chemicals helps first responders to protect themselves – and protect the public – if there is a fire or other dangerous event at a facility. Officials also use this information for disaster planning,” he said, “for example, when simulating a response to a hurricane.”
Under Section 312 of the EPCRA, companies that store 10,000 pounds or more of a hazardous chemical at any one time – or lesser amounts, for particularly hazardous substances – are required to file annual reports detailing the nature, amount, location and hazards of chemicals stored at their facilities. Besides the EPA, the reports must be filed with the state Emergency Response Commission, the local Emergency Planning Committee and the local fire department.
The next deadline for such filings is March 1, the EPA said.
Additional information on laws relating to chemical preparedness and prevention is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at epa.gov, while information on EPCRA enforcement efforts in New England is available at epa.gov/region1.