Westward Seafoods will pay more than half a million dollars for having violated clean air standards. (Photo: Stock File)
Seafood firm pays USD 570K for environmental violations
(UNITED STATES, 4/21/2010)
Alaskan seafood processor Westward Seafoods Inc will pay a USD 570,000-civil penalty as part of a settlement agreement for violations of the Clean Air Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, the Justice Department and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday.
According to a complaint lodged against Westward Seafoods, the company violated the Clean Air Act on various occasions from 2002-2006. Namely, by burning of approximately 1.3 million ga of diesel fuel with excessive sulfur; operating three diesel generators while air pollution control devices were inoperable, generating excessive emissions of nitrogen oxides; and failing to respond to repeated requests for data from state and federal inspectors.
High sulfur fuel has unfavorable respiratory effects on humans through its production of higher levels of sulfur dioxide emissions. The same effect was caused by operating generators without required air control devices, which bred increased nitrogen oxide air pollution.
Another violation was that of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act through the firm’s alleged failure to report 80,000 lbs of ammonia in use and storage annually at the Dutch Harbor plant to the State Emergency Response Commission, local fire department and Local Emergency Planning Committee.
"We expect companies that handle hazardous chemicals and operate diesel generators to comply with the law," said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division Ignacia S Moreno.
Per the settlement agreement filed at the US District Court for the District of Alaska, Seattle-based Westward Seafoods will have to apply four measures to improve its environmental compliance.
The firm must develop a preventative maintenance and operations plan; create and implement an annual training programme for all employees responsible for operating generating equipment; develop and submit to EPA an organisational chart that outlines staff with environmental compliance responsibilities; and develop internal procedures for submitting necessary reports to federal, state and/or local environmental agencies.
"We have laws regulating emissions and chemicals for a reason -- these substances can have serious consequences for residents and the environment," said Edward Kowalski, director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement in EPA's Seattle office. "We work closely with the state, and we will act when a facility is not responsive to state requests, or is putting the environment and Alaskans at risk due to unlawful practices."
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court.
Established in 1989, Westward Seafoods is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese company Maruha Nichiro that focuses on Alaskan Pollock but also deals other Alaskan fish and shellfish.
By Natalia Real
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
Information of the company:
Address:
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2101 4th Avenue
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City:
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Seattle
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State/ZIP:
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Washington (WA 98121)
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Country:
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United States
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Phone:
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+1 206 682 5949
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Fax:
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+1 206 682 1825
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E-Mail:
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sales@westwardseafoods.com
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More about:
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Approval / Accreditation / Certified / Oversight by...
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