A local cold storage and ice manufacturing company has agreed to pay tens of thousands of dollars in penalties after an ammonia leak brought to light several violations by the company.
According to settlement documents, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Boise Cold Storage have settled for $74,500 after the EPA said Boise Cold Storage violated both the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
In the documents, the EPA said that on October 5, 2022, Boise Cold Storage released approximately 400 pounds of ammonia into the air. Ammonia is a common chemical used in refrigeration. At the time, KTVB reported that the leak — which was first reported at approximately 6:30 a.m. — caused evacuations and road closures in the area…