Big pollution penalty ($151.5-million), par-for-the-course for Southeast Idaho Food/Fertilizer Producer!

12 July 2023 (09:53-UTC-07 Tango 06) 21 Tir 1402/23 Dhu l-Hijja 1444/25 Ji-Wei 4721/12 июль 2023 года

“This is an important settlement which reduces the environmental impacts from one of the leading fertilizer manufacturers. This settlement advances EPA’s goals by creating environmentally beneficial waste management practices and ensures that the U.S. taxpayer will not be responsible for future costs associated with closure of this facility. Additionally, this settlement ensures that any future expansion of Simplot’s operations will be conducted according to strict requirements to minimize impacts to surrounding communities, including the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.”-Larry Starfield, United States EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance

In May 2023, I reported that environmental watchdogs had accused Idaho based food/fertilizer/phosphorous producer J.R. Simplot of operating an ‘illegal’ cattle feedlot, which pumped cow crap directly into the Snake River.

It was speculated that Simplot could be hit with a $120-million federal fine. Now in July, the actual ‘fine’ is more than $150-million!

On 11JUL2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Simplot agreed to pay $150-million “to implement process modifications designed to enable greater recovery and reuse of phosphate”, and a $1.5-million “civil penalty” (fine).

Simplot Don Plant is actually in Power County. The mailing address is for Pocatello, Bannock County, because at one time Simplot’s HQ was in Pocatello (it’s now in Boise).

The settlement also directly affects operations with Simplot’s Don Plant, near Pocatello (but not in Pocatello as typically reported by news media and even government officials, it is actually in Power County), Idaho: “This settlement will bring important benefits to Idaho and the communities that have been affected by the Don Plant’s operations. We are grateful that our state partner, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, helped formulate and will oversee work that Simplot will fund to mitigate the impacts of its phosphate operations on water quality and the environment along the Portneuf River, working in cooperation with both the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the City of Pocatello.”-Josh Hurwit, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho

February 2023: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality wants Simplot to reduce fluoride air emissions at the Don Plant!

September 2022: Investigation underway after ammonia released at the Don Plant!