Projo Biz Blog

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined four Rhode Island companies for failing to submit chemical inventory reports listing chemicals present at their facilities.

The local firms -- Geib Refining Corp., National Chain Co. and Technodic Inc., all of Warwick, and M. Weisman Roofing Co. in Providence -- were among 11 New England companies targeted by the EPA.

The companies were fined $2,000 each. March 1 is the next deadline for submitting the annual chemical inventory reports.

In a statement released today, the EPA said it had reached settlements with the companies after inspections discovered reporting failures under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

“Chemical reporting is very important for the public at-large, and it is essential for the safety of first responders if there is an accident at one of these facilities,” Robert Varney, regional administrator of the EPA’s New England office, said in the statement. “Regular reporting of hazardous chemicals helps first responders to protect themselves and protect the public, if there is a fire or other dangerous event at a facility.”

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