EPA settles with Pace International, LLC, over Clean Air Act violations on the Yakama Indian Reservation

“High Tech” inspection device inspires air pollution reduction project, benefiting reservation residents

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2016-10-11

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement in a case against Pace International LLC, (Pace) of Wapato, WA, for federal Clean Air Act violations that occurred within the Yakama Indian Reservation. According to the Company, Pace manufactures post-harvest fruit coatings such as vegetable waxes like carnauba, animal based waxes like shellac or mineral and synthetic waxes, which are used to protect fruit and vegetables for their farm to table journey. During the process of formulating these coatings, Volatile Organic Compounds are released to the atmosphere. VOCs are harmful if inhaled and can contribute to causing ground level ozone, another harmful air pollutant.

The settlement includes a $77,134 penalty. In addition, Pace agreed to invest $78,427.00 in a pollution-reducing facility upgrade. They will replace older, leaky pneumatic pumps and hoses (used to transfer large volumes of VOC-containing liquids around the facility) with new, more efficient equipment which is expected to reduce leaks and vapor emissions.

Violations at the Pace International facility were identified during a routine, unannounced CAA inspection. They included:

● Failing to track, calculate, and record the monthly and 12-month rolling emission inventory for VOCs.

● Missing the compliance deadline for conducting the required National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants energy assessments on two of its boilers.

● Late submission of Notification of Compliance Status Reports for completing the energy assessments on the two boilers.

A second inspection was conducted during which Pace agreed to EPA using its Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) video camera technology to see otherwise invisible air emissions. The FLIR camera video footage helped Pace decide to replace the old leaky pumps with new leak-proof stainless steel pumps and crush resistant hoses, reducing local air pollution.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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