Environmental legislation 'designed to safeguard communities'

Environmental legislation is designed to guarantee that companies contribute to safeguarding communities, according to one expert.

Daniel Meer, assistant director for the Pacific south-west region's Superfund programme, was commenting on US federal risk management plans, which are part of the nation's Clean Air Act, the law that defines the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) responsibilities for safeguarding and improving air quality.

"It is crucial for companies to provide the EPA with these risk management plans in a timely manner," he stated.

His comments follow the EPA's agreement of a $23,000 (£14,500) settlement with Pappas and Co for failing to submit and update the plans for its anhydrous ammonia process for two produce packing facilities in Mendota, California.

Pappas and Co will be charged approximately $8,000 for two supplemental environmental projects, which involve the donation of a hand-held ammonia detector to the local fire department and the installation of an ammonia sensor outside its Naples Street facility.

Written by Joseph Hutton