Inspections at three of Koch's facilities in 2007 and 2009 revealed violations of the risk management program required by the Clear Air Act. One of those facilities is in Dodge City, Kansas. That facility manufactures ammonia and urea-ammonium nitrate solution.
As a part of the risk management program, facilities must develop a management system, assess hazards, develop a prevention program, address emergency response, and submit a risk management plan.
Inspectors found that the facilities had issues with the management system, had not fully implemented the prevention program requirements, had not adequately coordinated with local first responders, and failed to include all required information in the risk management plan.
“A proper risk management program is an important component of preventing accidental releases into the air of harmful substances and to reduce the severity of releases that do occur,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks. “This penalty sends a strong message to Koch and other companies that EPA expects adherence to all aspects of the Clean Air Act.”
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. Once it is published in the Federal Register, a copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department website at www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html
As a result of this settlement, Koch Nitrogen has certified that it is in full compliance with Clean Air Act.
