The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 recently issued a 926-count administrative complaint against BP Exploration and Oil, Cleveland, Ohio, for failing to report hazardous chemicals.
As a result, a $295,612 penalty was proposed.
EPA alleges that the company either did not submit, or submitted late, Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory forms for 24 Ohio facilities for 1994, 1995 and 1996.
These forms must be submitted to the State Emergency Response Commission, local emergency planning committees, and local fire departments to notify them about hazardous chemicals present at a facility.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, owners and operators of facilities must submit forms for certain hazardous chemicals every year by March 1.
"Reporting requirements are designed to protect public safety and the environment," said Regional Superfund Director William Muno. "Fire departments, hospitals and other authorities must have this information to respond appropriately when a release occurs."
Chemicals stored at the 24 facilities varied from site to site, but all of the sites stored gasoline and diesel.