San Francisco firms fail to follow environmental legislation

Two San Francisco companies which failed to follow environmental legislation settled with the US Environmental Protection Agency yesterday.

Roberts Hawaii and Love's Bakery failed to submit complete annual chemical inventories to local emergency responders, thereby perpetrating a violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

Daniel Meer, the EPA's assistant superfund director for the Pacific Southwest region, said that both firms breached laws designed to protect and inform communities located near facilities that use hazardous substances and other chemicals.

"We will take action against any company that fails to follow these laws that protect emergency responders and the public in the event of an accidental release," he stated.

In addition to correcting the violations, both businesses will pay $2,000 (£1,200) penalties for each of their Hawaii-based facilities.

Bus and tour services company Roberts Hawaii runs its tourist activities, sightseeing tours and transportation from bases in Honolulu, Kailua and Keaau and stands to pay a total of $6,000.

Written by Claire Manning