Koch Nitrogen to pay $380,000 to settle claims
Koch Nitrogen to pay $380,000 to settle alleged Clean Air Act violations in Kansas, Iowa
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- A subsidiary of Wichita, Kan.-based Koch Industries has agreed to pay a $380,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act in Kansas and Iowa.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the settlement with Koch Nitrogen Co. on Wednesday.
The agency said inspections in 2007 and 2009 showed violations of risk management regulations at a pipeline terminal in Marshalltown, Iowa, and at ammonia manufacturing facilities in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Dodge City, Kan.
EPA officials say the company had not fully implemented prevention requirements, nor adequately coordinated with emergency responders.
Koch spokeswoman Melissa Cohlmia says the company cooperated with the Justice Department and EPA in the investigation. Cohlmia says the company believes the dialogue was constructive and both sides learned from the discussions. She says the settlement reflects strong protections in Koch's risk management programs.
