EPA v. HANCOCK FOODS INC

Case summary

On November 30, 2016, Region 1 executed a Consent Agreement and Final Order with Hancock Foods, Inc. for violating the Clean Air Act's Risk Management Planning (RMP) regulations and CERCLA's Notification Rules at its blueberry processing plant in Hancock, Maine. The facility uses anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant for process chilling and warehouse cooling. Hancock Foods will pay a penalty of $103,613 for the RMP violations under the CAA and a penalty of $5,110 for the CERCLA violation for a total of $108,723. EPA previously issued an administrative compliance order for the RMP violations with which the company complied. The facility itself is not in an area warranting further environmental justice review, but a worst-case release of ammonia from the plant could affect areas that merit environmental justice review.

Defendants (1)

• Hancock Foods Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• HANCOCK FOODS INC

  37 WYMAN ROAD, HANCOCK, ME, 04640

  Registry ID: 110054901825

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 103A — Notification of Hazardous Reportable Quantity Release
• CAA 112[R][7] — Prevention of Accidental Release/Risk Management Plans (RMPs)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• HANCOCK FOODS INCentered 2016-11-29

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $108,724

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2016-11-29Final Order Issued
• 2016-11-29Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2017-03-02Enforcement Action Data Entered