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Royal Oak to Pay $10K to Settle EPA Complaint Over Hazardous Chemicals at Virginia Plant

Release Date: 6/29/1999
Contact Information: Ruth Podems, (215) 814-5540

KENBRIDGE, Va. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that Royal Oak Enterprises Inc. will pay a $10,000 penalty for allegedly failing to submit timely reports on hazardous chemicals used at its Kenbridge, Va., plant.

EPA had cited the Georgia-based company for violating the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) at Royal Oak’s charcoal manufacturing and distribution facility, located at Highway 137 and 138 in Kenbridge.

EPCRA’s reporting requirements protect the public health and environment from accidental releases of hazardous and toxic chemicals. The law requires companies that store or use over a threshold quantity of hazardous chemicals to file "material safety data sheets" (MSDS) -- or list of chemicals requiring MSDSs -- with the state and local emergency response agency and the local fire department.

The MSDS describes the health risks associated with the chemical, and safety precautions for handling or accidental exposure. EPCRA also requires companies to annually update state and local emergency response agencies, and the local fire department, on the maximum and average amount of hazardous chemicals present at the facility.

According to EPA, Royal Oak failed to submit the MSDS (or list), and annual inventory forms for 1994, 1995, and 1996 for its storage of over 10,000 pounds of sodium nitrate liquor at the Kenbridge Plant. (Note: the complaint alleges reporting violations and not unlawful chemical releases.)

The company did not admit or deny liability for the alleged violations in the settlement, but it certified that it is now in compliance with the applicable EPCRA requirements.