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The US State of Missouri has been awarded with $75,000 for the outreach, education and implementation of the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program in facilities handling anhydrous ammonia for industrial refrigerant or agricultural use. The grant will facilitate some 205 non-agricultural and 189 agricultural facilities comply with safety requirements and minimise incidents of accidental ammonia releases.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has awarded the State of Missouri a total of $75,000 to assist facilities that handle, process or store more than 10,000 pounds (4545 kilos) of anhydrous ammonia comply with regulations, according to an agency news release of 5 November. Anhydrous ammonia is used in Missouri as an industrial refrigerant and a source of nitrogen fertilizer. 

More specifically, the grant will assist with the outreach, education and implementation of the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program that sets out the safety requirements with which facilities have to comply. "EPA is proud to award these funds, which will help to reduce accidental anhydrous ammonia releases," said William Rice, acting regional administrator.

Allocation of the grant

The $75,000 grant will be allocated to 2 Missouri state agencies, namely the:

• Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA): SEMA will receive $45,000 to conduct workshops and on-site audits of 205 non-agricultural facilities. The SEMA grant focuses on enhancing communication among local first responders, planners and all regulated facilities.

• Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA): MDA will receive $30,000 to develop a program to conduct on-site audits and follow-up safety assessments at 189 agricultural retail anhydrous ammonia facilities in Missouri.

Background

Ammonia facilities were first required to be in compliance with the Risk Management Program in 1999. US EPA then started facility inspections and enforcement of the programme, including five components: hazard assessment system, management, accident prevention, emergency response and submittal of a risk management plan.