US EPA Fined Clearwater Paper over Failure to Disclose Toxic Release

In a news release, the EPA alleged that hundreds of pounds of the toxic gas were released from the mill in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Clearwater Paper has been fined more than $350,000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to report release of toxic chlorine from its Lewiston pulp and paper mill.

In a news release, the EPA alleged that hundreds of pounds of the toxic gas were released from the mill in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The exposure to the gas, classified under hazardous substances, had led to evacuations and employees seeking medical treatment.

According to the agency, the mill had released nearly 53 to 171 pounds of chlorine over a 24-hour period on Sept. 16, 2019; 122 pounds on Sept. 20, 2019; 24 to 55 pounds on Jan. 6, 2020; and 12 pounds on Jan. 20, 2021. In all of the above cases, the amount of released chlorine had exceeded permitted levels. In such instances, the company is required to make immediate notification to the National Response Center, State Emergency Response Commission and Local Emergency Planning Commission. However, Clearwater Paper failed to report some of these releases for several months.

Meantime, the company spokesperson stated that corrective action have already been taken to prevent repetition of such violations. The company is fully committed to adhering to all environmental laws and regulations and ensuring the safety of its employees and the communities in which it operate, he added.

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