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EPA issues 2013 Toxic Release Inventory data for Pacific Southwest region; releases reported in Lake's neighboring counties
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report that showed that the majority of toxic chemicals managed at industrial facilities in the U.S. were not released into the environment.
Nationally in 2013, approximately 84 percent of the 26 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were managed through the use of preferred practices such as recycling.
The 2013 TRI National Analysis report, including long-term trends and localized analyses, can be found at www.epa.gov/tri/nationalanalysis .
Of the 4 billion pounds that were disposed of or otherwise released to the environment, 66 percent went to land, 19 percent to air, 5 percent to water, and 10 percent was transferred to other facilities. Individual fact sheets for the Pacific Southwest Region states and territories also were made available.
"We all have a right to know what toxic chemicals are being used and released into our environment, and what progress companies are making to reduce, recycle or prevent waste from being generated in the first place,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This year, our online database known as the TRI Explorer is more robust than ever, and we encourage the public to make use of the extensive information available there.”
In the TRI, a "release" generally refers to a chemical that is emitted to the air, water, or placed in some type of land disposal unit. Most of these releases are subject to a variety of regulatory requirements designed to limit human and environmental harm.
TRI data is submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), by July 1 of each year facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year.
The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
The report showed that a total of 1,263 California facilities reported a 42.9 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013.
California’s total reported on-site and off-site releases increased when compared to the 32 million pounds reported in 2012. Clean Harbors Buttonwillow, a hazardous waste facility and the Mesquite Mine were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases.
The report does not show any TRI facilities in Lake County. However, there are such facilities in neighboring counties.
The counties, number of facilities, total pounds of releases and top releasing facilities are as follows:
– Colusa, Three facilities; 100,539 pounds; top facility for releases, Adams Vegetable Oils, 58,888 pounds.
– Glenn: Two facilities; 24,472 pounds; top facility for releases, Land O'Lakes, 24,451 pounds.
– Mendocino: Three sites; 15 pounds; top facility for releases, All Weather Wood LLC, 15 pounds.
– Napa: One site, Boral Stone Products LLC, 404 pounds.
– Sonoma: Nine facilities; 301 pounds; top facility for releases, Stero, 255 pounds.
– Yolo: Seven facilities; 115,022 pounds; top facility for releases, Truck Accessories Group DBA Tag West.
For detailed California information and the list of the top facilities, visit http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=CA&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1 .
Other Pacific Southwest state and territory highlights are as follows.
ARIZONA
A total of 257 Arizona facilities reported 70.1 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013. Freeport-McMoran Miami, a metal mine, and the Asarco LLC Ray Complex/Hayden Smelter were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases.
Arizona’s total reported on-site and off-site releases decreased when compared to the 86 million pounds reported in 2012.
For detailed Arizona information and the list of the top facilities, visit http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=AZ&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1 .
HAWAII
A total of 35 facilities reported 3 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013. Hawaii’s total reported on-site and off-site releases increased when compared to the 2.7 million pounds reported in 2012.
AES Hawaii Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Kahe Generating Station, both electric generation utilities, were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases.
For detailed Hawaii information and the list of the top facilities, visit http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=HI&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1 .
NEVADA
A total of 133 Nevada facilities reported 370 million pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013.
Nevada’s total reported on-site and off-site releases increased when compared to the 286 million pounds reported in 2012.
Newmont Mining Corp’s Twin Creeks mine and their Copper Canyon Facility Clean were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases.
For detailed Nevada information and the list of the top facilities, visit http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=NV&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1 .
AMERICAN SAMOA
In 2013, American Samoa total releases were 25 pounds from one facility, Star Kist Samoa Co facility’s air releases of ammonia.
For detailed American Samoa information visit http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=AS&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1 .
COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
A total of eight facilities reported 15,370 pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013, a decrease in total reported on-site and off-site releases when compared to 2012 data.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp, an electric generation utility and the Mariana Acquisition Corp’s Saipan Terminal, a petroleum bulk terminal were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases.
For detailed CNMI information and the top facilities, visit http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=MP&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1 .
GUAM
A total of 12 facilities reported 517,157 pounds of toxic chemical releases during 2013.
Guam’s total reported on-site and off-site releases decreased when compared to the 572,000 pounds reported in 2012.
Guam Power Authority, an electric generation utility and the Naval Base Guam’s Apra Harbor wastewater plant were the top two facilities for total on-site and off-site releases.
For detailed Guam information and the list of the top facilities, visit http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet.factsheet_forstate?&pstate=GU&pyear=2013&pDataSet=TRIQ1 .