The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the Kmart Corp. will pay a $102,422 fine for self-disclosed violations of federal environmental rules.
The company reported the violations at 17 of its distribution centers in 13 states involving clean water, hazardous waste, and emergency planning and preparedness regulations.
If the EPA had discovered Kmart's violations through an inspection, the company would have faced a fine of more than $1.6 million.
"Our top priority is to protect the environment and public health. We have a variety of tools and options to do that," said Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "In this case, Kmart discovered its own violations and came forward with a plan to fix the problems."
The EPA said Kmart has corrected the violations found during a 2004 audit conducted by outside consultants.
The affected distribution centers are in Billerica, Mass.; Canton, Mich.; Chambersburg, Pa.; Denver/Brighton, Colo.; Forest Park, Ga.; Greensboro, N.C.; Groveport, Calif.; Lawrence, Kan.; Manteno, Ill.; Mira Loma, Calif.; Morrisville/Fairless Hills, Pa.; Newnan, Ga.; Ocala, Fla.; Ontario, Calif.; Shakopee, Minn.; Sparks, Nev.; and Warren, Ohio.
Source: EPA
