The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Hawai‘i Gas $155,000 for violations of risk management plan regulations and chemical release reporting involving its Kapolei facility.
The fine represents a settlement between the EPA and the company.
The Kapolei facility manufactures synthetic natural gas for its Oahu customers and was found to be in violation during a January 2012 audit of five years’ worth of records, according to an EPA statement.
Inspectors found that the facility released 3,585 pounds of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, or lye. While the release was reported to state and local officials, Hawai‘i Gas also was required to report it to the federal National Response Center because the amount exceeded 1,000 pounds.
No health or environmental impacts resulted from the release, which was made to an underground injection well, the EPA said.
"Risk management plans are critical components of safety programs designed to prevent chemical accidents," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "They must be carried out diligently to protect workers, nearby residents and the local environment."
The EPA said Hawai‘i Gas violated the risk management plan regulations by failing, among other things, to certify annually that its operating procedures were current and accurate; to provide refresher training to employees; and to conduct a compliance audit every three years.
Hawai‘i Gas spokeswoman Jill Tokunaga said Wednesday that the company takes workplace and environmental health and safety "very seriously."
"It is an important priority for us," she said in an email. "We take responsibility for any violations that have occurred, and have worked cooperatively with the EPA to immediately address any issues with environmental compliance and we are now in full compliance. At no point was there any threat to the safety of the public or our employees."
Tokunaga said that over the past two years the company has updated and implemented new procedures, systems and training at the synthetic natural gas plant.
She said the company hired Jack Grimmer as vice president of environmental health and safety and quality assurance to provide greater executive oversight in this area.
Grimmer has more than 25 years of experience in environmental health and safety, and will focus on setting the strategic direction of the department while overseeing compliance, technical training and quality assurance. He reports directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Alicia Moy.
