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U.S. EPA CREATIVE SETTLEMENT BEEFS UP TULARE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESOURCES

Release Date: 3/11/1997
Contact Information: Randy Wittorp, U.S. EPA (415)744-1589

     (San Francisco) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced settlement of an enforcement action against Kraft Foods, Inc. for failure to immediately notify governmental authorities of a 1994 ammonia release from their plant in Tulare, Calif., a violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response and Liability Act (CERCLA).  

     "EPCRA allows for easy public access to the chemical inventories of the businesses in the community, as well as records of their hazardous material releases," said Keith Takata, U.S. EPA's Superfund Division director.  "When a business delays in providing this information to the appropriate authorities, the public is denied their right to know and the community's emergency release planning and preparedness efforts suffer."

     Under the settlement agreement, Kraft is paying a $10,000 fine to U.S. EPA and spending $20,000 to purchase 10, state-of-the-art, self-contained breathing apparatus units (SCBAs), a SCBA test console, and an ammonia gas sensor for the Tulare Fire Department in California.

     "A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus is one of the most important pieces of equipment a fire fighter will ever wear because it protects the fire fighter's respiratory system from smoke and hazardous gases,"said Tulare Assistant Fire Chief, Michael Threlkeld. "This settlement with Kraft is beneficial to our community and fire department because the money stays in this community which was affected by the release."  

     On November 19, 1994 Kraft Foods, Inc. accidentally released approximately 4380 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into the air.  The reportable amount of ammonia is 100 pounds and required immediate notification to the California Office of Emergency Services and the National Response Center.  Immediate notification is essential for emergency response teams to evaluate the nature and extent of a hazardous substance release, and to make informed decisions about protecting the community and the environment during and after a release.

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