The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual national analysis of the Toxics Release Inventory shows that ammonia releases at the Anheuser-Busch brewery decreased in 2012 to 20,657 pounds. The brewery released 25,021 pounds in 2011 and 29,650 pounds in 2010.
Larimer County’s overall largest emitter of toxic compounds continues to be the coal-powered Rawhide Energy Station, which buried or released more than 624,374 pounds of toxic compounds in 2012. Airborne releases were 8,571 pounds of its total.
Top Larimer County toxic compound air emitters in 2012:
• Anheuser-Busch of Fort Collins: 20,657 pounds of ammonia.
• Avago Technologies of Fort Collins: 17,943 pounds total with 17,702 pounds containing n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or NMP, a volatile organic compound.
• Rawhide Energy Station northwest near Wellington: 8,571 pounds of hydrochloric acid, mercury compounds, barium compounds, hydrogen flouride, lead and other compounds.
The TRI program publishes information on toxic chemical disposals and other releases into the air, land and water, as well as information on waste management and pollution prevention activities in neighborhoods across the country. Many of the releases from TRI facilities are regulated under various EPA programs and requirements designed to limit human and environmental harm.
TRI data is submitted annually to EPA and states by multiple industry sectors including manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste facilities. Facilities must report their toxic chemical releases to EPA under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires information on waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.