Editing Simplot (section)

== Environmental record ==

In February 2002, Simplot agreed to buy equipment and pay penalties related to an unreported release of 80,000 pounds of [[sulfur dioxide|sulphur dioxide]] from a facility in [[Pocatello, Idaho]]. The company violated the [[Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act]] by failing to immediately notify the Power and Bannock Counties' Local Emergency Planning Committees or the State Emergency Response Commission of the release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d96f984dfb3ff7718525735900400c29/6d1ba142882c2610852570cb0075e206!OpenDocument|title=Simplot Settles Emergency Notification Case|author=Bill Dunbar|date=2002-02-20|publisher=[[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]}}</ref>

In February 2004, J.R. Simplot Company agreed to pay the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] $525,000 and install $2 million in air pollution control equipment to resolve violations of the federal [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]] at its silica sand mining facility in [[Overton, Nevada]]. The violation occurred in 1988 when the company removed equipment required by the federal Clean Air Act to control emissions of air pollutants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/89745a330d4ef8b9852572a000651fe1/feaa6ef394485d4d852570d8005e15fc!OpenDocument|title=J.R. Simplot agrees to pay EPA $525,000 to resolve Clean Air Act violations|author=Laura Gentile|date=2004-02-12|publisher=[[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]}}</ref>

In early 2012, Simplot submitted a report to the Environmental Protection Agency to explain its view regarding how and why pollution limits could be eased in phosphate mine areas, and linking to livestock die-offs of sheep and cattle in other areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/06/17/2158158/understanding-simplots-mutant.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125190953/http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/06/17/2158158/understanding-simplots-mutant.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-25|title=Understanding Simplots Mutant Fish}}</ref>

Simplot is one of six major companies to join the [[Obama Administration]] in an effort to significantly reduce energy use over the next 10 years. The company has received awards including the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining's [[Earth Day]] award for the environmental work completed in Nevada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54169071-79/awards-canyon-natural-pipeline.html.csp|title=Five companies receive state Earth Day awards}}</ref>

In June 2012, Simplot partnered with two conservation groups and three [[phosphate mining]] companies in an effort to improve the water quality of the [[Blackfoot River (Idaho)|Blackfoot River]] in [[Eastern Idaho]]. The parties are: J.R. Simplot Company, [[Monsanto]] and [[Agrium]]/Nu-West Industries, the [[Idaho Conservation League]] and [[Trout Unlimited]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idahopress.com/news/state/miners-conservationists-join-to-save-river-trout/article_91b8db11-46b7-5ad5-8e9b-fad1dbf2fcea.html|title=Miners, conservationists join to save river, trout|date=17 June 2012 }}</ref>

More recently, Simplot settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice resolving alleged Clean Air Act violations related to modifications made at Simplot's five [[sulfuric acid]] plants near Lathrop, Calif., Pocatello, Idaho and Rock Springs, Wyo. Under the settlement, Simplot was required to spend an estimated $42 million to install, upgrade and operate pollution controls that significantly cut sulfur dioxide emissions at all five plants, fund a wood stove replacement project in the area surrounding the Lathrop plant, and pay an amount of $899,000 as civil penalty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OECA |date=2016-04-20 |title=Reference News Release: J.R. Simplot Company to Reduce Emissions at Sulfuric Acid Plants in Three States |url=https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/reference-news-release-jr-simplot-company-reduce-emissions-sulfuric-acid-plants-three |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> The company settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice resolving Simplot's liability for alleged violations at the Rock Springs, Wyoming facility under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), including failure to determine if a solid waste is a [[hazardous waste]] (40 C.F.R. § 262.11); treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste in the phosphogypsum (gypsum) stack without a permit or interim status (42 U.S.C. § 6925(a) and 40 C.F.R. Parts 264/265 and 270); failure to perform land disposal determinations and to meet land disposal restrictions for hazardous wastes (40 C.F.R. Part 268); and failure to submit complete Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) annual toxic release reports (42 U.S.C. § 11023 and the implementing regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 372).  Simplot agree to pay a civil penalty of $775,000 to resolve the alleged past violations of RCRA and EPCRA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OECA |date=2020-07-09 |title=Simplot Settlement Information Sheet |url=https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/simplot-settlement-information-sheet |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, Simplot agreed to pay a $65,248 penalty for violations of federal pesticide handling and storage requirements at its storage and retail facilities in Umatilla, Oregon and Moreland, Idaho.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OA |date=2021-07-22 |title=Simplot pays $65K EPA penalty for pesticides violations |url=https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/simplot-pays-65k-epa-penalty-pesticides-violations |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref>