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Department of Ecology News Release - September 25, 2001
01-166
OLYMPIA - A chemical spill into the Columbia River has earned Noveon Kalama, Inc. its fifth penalty of the year from the state Department of Ecology (Ecology).
The company is being fined $10,000 for leaking approximately two pounds of toluene to the river between July 24 and Aug. 6. The spill was caused by a leak in a heat exchanger at the company's Kalama chemical plant. The facility formerly was known as BF Goodrich Kalama, Inc.
"The chemical was diluted, but we have concerns about its cumulative effects on the river's aquatic environment," said Marc Pacifico of Ecology's water-quality program. "The even bigger concern is about this company's repeated violations. Operations need to improve so the environment is not repeatedly put at risk."
The company's four previous fines total $24,000, for discharges that violated permit conditions. The penalties were calculated under the terms of an agreed order between the company and Ecology that requires the company to report spills and pay stipulated fines without appeal.
Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, 360-407-6239
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
