EPA v. NATIONAL CHAIN

Case summary

On November 15, 2022, EPA Region 1 and the National Chain Company (National Chain) settled an administrative penalty case for alleged violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to-Know Act (EPCRA) and EPCRA regulations that occurred at National Chain's silver jewelry manufacturing facility in Warwick, Rhode Island. EPA alleged that National Chain failed to timely file EPCRA Section 313 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reports for anhydrous ammonia and silver processed or used at the facility during the 2020 calendar year. National Chain filed its missing TRI reports in December 2021. EPA and National Chain settled the case with a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) that both initiated and concluded the action with National Chain agreeing to pay a settlement penalty of $28,260. EPCRA's TRI reporting program is a non-delegated federal program enforced only by EPA without state involvement. Enforcement of EPCRA's TRI reporting requirements ensures that communities are not deprived of their right to know about chemicals used or stored within their vicinity that may affect public health or the environment. The facility is not in an area of environmental justice concern.

Defendants (1)

• National Chain CompanyNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• NATIONAL CHAIN

  55 ACCESS ROAD, WARWICK, RI, 02886-1000

  Registry ID: 110012482205

Statutes cited

• EPCRA 313 — Toxic Chemical Release Reporting (TRI)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• NATIONAL CHAINentered 2022-11-15

  Primary law: EPCRA

  Federal penalty: $28,260

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2022-11-15Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2022-11-15Final Order Issued
• 2022-11-16Enforcement Action Data Entered