KANAWHA'S BAYER PLANT "FINED" $1 MILLION

(03/04/2009)
A Kanawha County plant that declined to inform 911 regarding the nature of a chemical fire at their plant last year, leaving responders in a lurch, is facing further fines related to other violations.

Most of the problems surfaced in 2001. It was unclear why there has been a long wait in dealing with the problem.

Bayer CropScience has agreed to spend more then $1 million in penalties and improvements to resolve environmental violations at its plant at Institute.

The US-EPA said the fines are not related to last years explosion which killed two workers.

EPA said the violations stem from a series of inspections, including violations ranging from not properly labeling storage containers to exceeding permit discharge limits, likely in the Kanawha River.

The plant failed to inform authorities in February 2001 of a release of a chemical used to produce insecticides.

Bayer agreed to pay a $112,000 penalty and make $900,000 worth of improvements.