CHICAGO (Jan. 11, 2024) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Cooper Heat Treating LLC of Detroit, Michigan, over alleged violations of Clean Air Act requirements aimed at preventing chemical accidents at facilities that use certain hazardous substances. The company has paid a penalty of $12,300.
Following a June 2022 inspection of the company’s Detroit facility for heat treating automobile parts, EPA determined that Cooper Heat Treating failed to comply with Clean Air Act requirements to help minimize the risk of an accidental release at facilities with more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. Specifically, EPA alleged that Cooper Heat Treating failed to evaluate hazards related to stationary source siting and a potential failure of its engineering and administrative controls, periodically inspect its facility’s piping, and submit an updated risk management plan.
As part of the settlement with EPA, the company will install permanent ammonia and oxygen sensors throughout its facility, install fixed cameras along its ammonia process line, and purchase and use an infrared camera for preventative maintenance.
For more information on the section of the Clean Air Act relevant to this settlement, see EPA’s Clean Air Act Section 112(r): Accidental Release Prevention / Risk Management Plan Rule fact sheet.