LENEXA, Kan. — Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company has agreed to settle alleged Clean Water Act (CWA) violations at five different large oil storage facilities located in Deerfield and Mexico, Mo.; Columbus, Neb.; Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, according to a press release.
ADM will also pay a $430,000 civil penalty to the U.S. through the settlement with EPA Region 7, stated the release.
The CWA requires facilities storing large quantities of oil to develop response plans outlining procedures for addressing “worst-case” discharges of oil, and by being prepared and conducting required response drills, facilities are better positioned to avoid environmental harm from such releases, reported the release.
The five ADM facilities each produces and stores more than 1 million gallons of oil, and combined have a total estimated storage capacity of over 36 million gallons, continued the release.
“The penalty imposed reflects the serious nature of noncompliance with these important requirements,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks. “By coming into compliance with the law, ADM is now better prepared to respond to spills that can harm the environment. Proper preparation for spills and emergencies can help avoid large-scale environmental disasters. We call upon other companies to do the same.”
Read the entire release here.
