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EPA reaches agreement with Fort James on clean-air violations

Release Date: 4/22/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA049

CHICAGO (Apr. 22, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Fort James Operating Co. on alleged violations of EPA regulations to protect stratospheric ozone. The alleged violations occurred at the company’s pulp and paper mill at 1919 S. Broadway, Green Bay, Wis. EPA assessed a $14,500 penalty, and Fort James agreed to complete a $43,500 environmental project.

"For its environmental project, Fort James will modify two refrigeration units at its mill so they can use a refrigerant that poses less threat to the stratospheric ozone layer," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur.

The agreement resolves EPA allegations that Fort James operated two refrigeration units that leaked more chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC, refrigerants than is allowed by the Clean Air Act.

Chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants deplete the stratospheric or "good" ozone layer, allowing dangerous amounts of cancer-causing ultraviolet rays from the sun to strike the earth. Production of some of these chemicals was stopped in 1995, and federal law strictly controls their use and handling.