Yogurt maker failed to update hazardous chemicals response plan

News

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. To join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address. Once you do, your comments will post automatically. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.

comments powered by Disqus

September 12, 2007

Terry Date

LONDONDERRY | Stonyfield Farm, which has been lauded in the past for its environmentally friendly practices, has been fined $2,190 by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for failing to update its five-year plan for responding to problems with hazardous chemicals on site.

The Londonderry yogurt maker was one of eight New England companies fined between $300 and $3,650. Under the federal Clean Air Act, facilities that store more than a threshold amount of hazardous chemicals must fully update and resubmit a risk management plan to the EPA.

Bulk chemicals used and stored at the eight companies include anhydrous ammonia, toluene, isobutene and chlorine, according to the EPA. In Stonyfield's case, the hazardous chemical was anhydrous ammonia, typically used as a refrigerating agent.

The risk plan includes an assessment of chemical hazards, an accident prevention program and an emergency response in case of a chemical release.

Stonyfield CEO Gary Hirshberg said in a prepared statement that the company appreciates the EPA calling attention to Stonyfield's shortcomings. He said the company is updating its documentation in concert with its ongoing plant expansion. Since its beginning, he said, Stonyfield has been committed to being a socially responsible company.

The company also noted in a statement that its violation "did not jeopardize the health and safety of our production staff or compromise the integrity or quality of our products."

The regional administrator of the EPA New England Office said the legal action taken against the New England companies was not just a paperwork exercise, and that it is imperative that companies that store or use hazardous chemicals pay close attention to legal and safety requirements.

"By following Risk Management Plan requirements, facilities help prevent chemical accidents and save lives," the EPA's Robert Varney said.

Stonyfield was a recipient of the 2005 EPA Environmental Merit Award for its climate change initiatives, including construction of the state’s largest solar power array. Stonyfield has also donated more than $3 million to environmental efforts and spearheaded the Climate Counts score card, which rates corporations on their commitment to reduce global warming.

The other companies cited by the EPA were A.T. Wall Company, Inc., of Warwick, R.I., Danbury Water Pollution Control Plant, Danbury, Conn., Gold Medal Bagel Bakery, Inc., West Haven, Conn., Mace Adhesives and Coatings Co., Inc., Dudley, Mass., Northampton MA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Northampton, Mass., Shield Packaging Co., Inc., Dudley, Mass., and Webster Wastewater Treatment Plant, Webster, Mass.