Multinational company settles CWA violations at two major locations

Aug. 15, 2014
Cargill Incorporated has agreed to settle allegations that it violated the Clean Water Act at two different large oil storage facilities located in the cities of Blair, Neb., and Eddyville, Iowa.

LENEXA, KS, Aug. 15, 2014 -- Cargill Incorporated, a privately-held multinational corporation headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., has agreed to settle allegations that it violated the Clean Water Act (CWA) at two different large oil storage facilities located in the cities of Blair, Neb., and Eddyville, Iowa.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified the lack of a response plan during site visits in 2013 at both of Cargill's facilities. Each plant required a Facility Response Plan (FRP) because the storage capacity of its denatured ethanol tanks exceeded 1 million gallons. Combined, the two facilities have a total estimated storage capacity of more than 7 million gallons.

As a result of the visits, Cargill submitted signed and effective FRPs in June 2014. Further, through the settlement with EPA Region 7, Cargill will pay a civil penalty of $187,500 to the United States.

The CWA requires facilities that store large quantities of oil to develop an FRP that outlines procedures for addressing worst-case discharges of oil. By being prepared and by conducting required response drills, facilities are better situated to prevent environmental harm from such releases.

See also:

"Archer Daniels settles CWA violations at five large oil storage plants across U.S."

"Historic CWA settlement to prevent millions of gallons of sewage discharges into SF Bay"

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