Note - the following is an edited compilation of six state-specific press releases issued yesterday by EPA's New England regional office. Each press release can be viewed individually on our Web site at (epa.gov/region1/pr).
News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
February 21, 2008
Contact: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
Community-Specific Chemical Release Data Available ; New England continues trend of lower releases to air, land and water
(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 21, 2008) – EPA’s most recent Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data is now available for the reporting year of 2006. This year, due to continued increases in electronic reporting by industry, TRI data is available earlier than ever for both local communities and national analysis.
Each year, EPA makes publicly available TRI data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding chemical releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities which employ ten or more workers and exceed thresholds for chemicals. During 2006, the latest year for which data are available, approximately 27.7 million pounds of chemicals were released in the six New England states, a reduction of about 2.5 million pounds.
“EPA is continuing to see lower amounts of pollutants being released to New England’s environment,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA’s New England office. “We’re also getting quality data out to the public faster, thanks to more facilities reporting electronically. This helps citizens, communities, industry and our environment.”
Reporting includes information on chemicals released at a company's facility, as well as those transported to disposal facilities off site. TRI data do not reflect the relative toxicity of the chemicals emitted or potential exposure to people living in a community with reported releases.
Reporting under TRI does not indicate illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. EPA works closely with states to provide regulatory oversight of facilities that generate pollution to the nation’s air, land and water. Effective review and permitting programs work to ensure that the public and the environment are not subjected to unhealthful levels of pollution, even as agencies work to further reduce emissions of chemicals to the environment.
Further, robust enforcement efforts by EPA and states ensure that facilities that violate their environmental permits are subject to penalties and corrective action. Yearly releases by individual facilities can vary due to factors such as power outages, production variability, lulls in the business cycle, etc., that do not reflect a facility's pollution prevention program(s).
TRI information is a key part of EPA’s efforts to provide greater access to environmental information and get information to the public as quickly as possible. TRI tracks the chemicals and industrial sectors specified by the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 and its amendments. The Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990 also mandates that TRI reports must include data on toxic chemicals treated on-site, recycled, and burned for energy recovery. Together, these laws require facilities in certain industries to report annually on releases, disposal and other waste management activities related to these chemicals.
EPA continues to work closely with the regulated community to ensure that facilities understand and comply with their reporting requirements under TRI and other community right-to-know statutes. EPA will once again hold training workshops throughout the New England region during the Spring of 2008. Training sessions will be set up in each state. Further information will be available on our Web site.
Additional TRI Information:
- Further analysis of TRI data for New England states and information on TRI training sessions (epa.gov/region1/tri)
- Fully searchable TRI database (epa.gov/triexplorer)
- Additional National information on TRI (epa.gov/tri/)
New England State-Specific Information:
Connecticut
In Connecticut, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment have increased slightly. Within the state, 348 facilities reported in 2006 approximately 4.9 million pounds (an increase of 78,483 pounds). Approximately 86 percent of releases in Connecticut were emitted to the air during 2006.
The top five chemicals released to the environment on- and off-site during 2006 in Connecticut were:
- Nitrate Compounds 2005 releases = 607,653 lbs. 2006 releases = 618,113 lbs.
- Lead Compounds 2005 releases = 267,770 lbs. 2006 releases = 502,805 lbs.
- Toluene 2005 releases = 464,719 lbs. 2006 releases = 496,908 lbs.
- Ammonia 2005 releases = 239,109 lbs. 2006 releases = 428,067 lbs.
- Dichloromethane 2005 releases = 286,993 lbs. 2006 releases = 324,426 lbs.
The five facilities that reported the largest quantity of on- and off-site environmental releases in Connecticut under TRI for 2006 were:
Facility Pounds Environmental Releases
Clean Harbors of CT Inc., Bristol 414,567 lbs.
Dow N.A., Allyn’s Point Plant, Gales Ferry 346,305 lbs.
Spongex International LT, Shelton 339,268 lbs.
Cytec Industries Inc, Wallingford 306,995 lbs.
Pfizer Inc, Groton 248,273 lbs.
More information: - TRI in Connecticut Fact Sheet (epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm)
Maine
In Maine, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment have declined. Within the state, 98 facilities reported in 2006 approximately 10.6 million pounds (a reduction of 964,058 pounds). Approximately 47.6 percent of releases in Maine were emitted to the air and 32.5 percent of releases were discharged to water during 2006.
The top five chemicals released to the environment on- and off-site during 2006 in Maine were:
- Nitrate Compounds 2005 releases = 3,035,733 lbs. 2006 releases = 2,812,904 lbs.
- Methanol 2005 releases = 2,739,559 lbs. 2006 releases = 2,501,288 lbs.
- Zinc Compounds 2005 releases = 1,087,639 lbs. 2006 releases = 1,114,087 lbs.
- Manganese Compounds 2005 releases = 1,050,038 lbs. 2006 releases = 1,029,511 lbs.
- Ammonia 2005 releases = 886,749 lbs. 2006 releases = 866,754 lbs.
The five facilities that reported the largest quantity of on- and off-site environmental releases in Maine under TRI for 2006 were:
Facility Pounds Environmental Releases
McCain Foods USA, Easton 2,278,292 lbs.
Verso Paper Holdings, LLC, Jay 1,928,971 lbs.
Newpage Paper Corp., Rumford 1,700,733 lbs.
SD Warren Co. Sappi Fine Paper, Skowhegan 1,470,906 lbs
Domtar Maine Corp., Baileyville 1,119,196 lbs.
More information: - TRI in Maine Fact Sheet (epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm)
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment have declined. Within the state, 546 facilities reported in 2006 approximately 7.0 million pounds (a reduction of 667,871 pounds). Approximately 89 percent of releases in Massachusetts were emitted to the air during 2006.
The top five chemicals released to the environment on- and off-site during 2006 in Massachusetts were:
- Hydrochloric Acid 2005 releases = 2,215,473 lbs. 2006 releases = 1,624,562 lbs.
- Ammonia 2005 releases = 614,752 lbs. 2006 releases = 662,058 lbs.
- Zinc Compounds 2005 releases = 498,994 lbs. 2006 releases = 533,674 lbs.
- Toluene 2005 releases = 430,679 lbs. 2006 releases = 377,311 lbs.
- Barium Compounds 2005 releases = 417,418 lbs. 2006 releases = 346,318 lbs.
The five facilities that reported the largest quantity of on- and off-site environmental releases in Massachusetts under TRI for 2006 were:
Facility Pounds Environmental Releases
Dominion Energy, Brayton Point, Somerset 1,646,002 lbs.
Mount Tom Generating Co. LLC, Holyoke 432,217 lbs.
Crown Beverage Packaging, Lawrence 396,950 lbs.
Dominion Energy, Salem Harbor Station, Salem 369,065 lbs.
Boston Generating LLC, Mystic Station, Charlestown 243,696 lbs.
More information: - TRI in Massachusetts Fact Sheet (epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm)
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment have declined. Within the state, 138 facilities reported in 2006 approximately 4.2 million pounds a reduction of 1,083,574 pounds). Approximately 93 percent of releases in New Hampshire were emitted to the air during 2006.
The top five chemicals released to the environment on- and off-site during 2006 in New Hampshire were:
- Hydrochloric Acid 2005 releases = 2,782,080 lbs. 2006 releases = 2,666,885 lbs.
- Sulfuric Acid 2005 releases = 703,021 lbs. 2006 releases = 577,017 lbs.
- Hydrogen Fluoride 2005 releases = 237,950 lbs. 2006 releases = 173,537 lbs.
- Methanol 2005 releases = 521,338 lbs. 2006 releases = 160,532 lbs.
- Ammonia 2005 releases = 225,740 lbs. 2006 releases = 156,967 lbs.
The five facilities that reported the largest quantity of on- and off-site environmental releases in New Hampshire under TRI for 2006 were:
Facility Pounds Environmental Releases
Merrimack Station, Bow 2,995,077 lbs.
Schiller Station, Portsmouth 429,901 lbs.
Fraser Pulp Mill, Berlin 247,414 lbs.
Wausau Paper Printing & Writing LLC, Groveton 66,701 lbs.
Public Service Co. of NH, Newington Station, Newington 46,587 lbs.
More information: - TRI in New Hampshire Fact Sheet (epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm)
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment have declined. Within the state, 122 facilities reported in 2006 approximately 498,668 pounds (a reduction of 103,076 pounds). Approximately 67.7 percent of releases in Rhode Island were emitted to the air during 2006.
The top five chemicals released to the environment on- and off-site during 2006 in Rhode Island were:
- Toluene 2005 releases = 101,082 lbs. 2006 releases = 81,672 lbs.
- Zinc Compounds 2005 releases = 63,737 lbs. 2006 releases = 75,130 lbs.
- Styrene 2005 releases = 86,013 lbs. 2006 releases = 61,640 lbs.
- Copper 2005 releases = 41,336 lbs. 2006 releases = 41,383 lbs.
- Ammonia 2005 releases = 30,765 lbs. 2006 releases = 28,139 lbs.
The five facilities that reported the largest quantity of on- and off-site environmental releases in Rhode Island under TRI for 2006 were:
Facility Pounds Environmental Releases
Stanley Fastening Systems, North Kingston 65,315 lbs.
Soluol Inc., West Warwick 33,287 lbs.
Kenyon Industries, Inc., Kenyon 29,783 lbs.
Portola Tech International, Woonsocket 27,735 lbs.
Pearson Composites, LLC, Warren 27,647 lbs.
More information: - TRI in Rhode Island Fact Sheet (epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm)
Vermont
In Vermont, the reporting data show that overall releases of pollutants to the environment have increased. Within the state, 40 facilities reported in 2006 approximately 604,304 pounds (an increase of 179,190 pounds). Approximately 71.7 percent of releases in Vermont were released to off-site locations during 2006.
The top five chemicals released to the environment on- and off- site during 2006 in Vermont were:
- Trichloroethylene 2005 releases = 24,155 lbs. 2006 releases = 238,880 lbs.
- Nitrate Compounds 2005 releases = 212,156 lbs. 2006 releases = 172,786 lbs.
- Zinc Compounds 2005 releases = 72,254 lbs. 2006 releases = 81,116 lbs.
- Ammonia 2005 releases = 26,467 lbs. 2006 releases = 30,150 lbs.
- Barium Compounds 2005 releases = 29,700 lbs. 2006 releases = 29,485 lbs.
The five facilities that reported the largest quantity of on- and off-site environmental releases in Vermont under TRI for 2006 were:
Facility Pounds Environmental Releases
Energizer Battery, St. Albans 239,135 lbs.
IBM Corp., Essex Junction 132,237 lbs.
Moore Co. Fulflex of Vermont, Brattleboro 78,641 lbs.
Cabot Creamery, Cabot 57,344 lbs.
Kennametal Inc., Lyndonville 29,485 lbs.
More information: - TRI in Vermont Fact Sheet (epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm)
# # #
Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.
View all Region 1 News Releases
You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.
This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355
No comments:
Post a Comment