Federal environmental authorities hit operators of an East Hartford cold-storage warehouse with sanctions totaling $210,000 stemming from a potentially threatening ammonia release two years ago at its New Haven storage facility.
The settlement between the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Connecticut Freezers Inc. and Maritime International Inc. over the release of about 5,000 pounds of ammonia requires a $50,000 penalty and performance of $160,000 worth of environmental projects, including trainings for other companies and emergency responders, authorities said.
EPA said the New Haven action is part of a general crackdown on ammonia refrigeration systems after inspections turned up some with poor safety conditions.
Since last August, EPA said it has issued six compliance orders to New England facilities and two penalty cases that each settled for more than $100,000.
On May 25, 2011, corroded piping and brackets gave way under the 1 Brewery St. warehouse, resulting in the ammonia release, the agency said.
EPA said it issued compliance orders to ensure safety at the New Haven cold-storage warehouse and others that the companies operate in East Hartford, a two-million-square-foot facility at 241 Park Ave.; and one in New Bedford, Mass.
The companies cooperated fully, spending over $100,000 to comply, EPA said.
Neither firm could be immediately reached Thursday for comment.
