Surprise, surprise—turns out Monsanto didn’t report toxic chemical releases that occurred between 2006 and 2009 at a phosphate plant in eastern Idaho, where phosphate ore is mined to make totally healthy stuff like herbicides and fire retardants. Chemicals released over that three-year period include mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen cyanide. This week Monsanto reached an agreement with the EPA and Department of Justice to pay a $600,000 fine, and they’re
really very super-duper sorry about the toxic chemicals.
"The protection of our employees, public health and the environment is always our No. 1 priority," said Roger Gibson, P4's [Monsanto subsidiary] vice president of operations. "As a long-time neighbor within the Soda Springs community, we care deeply about public health and the quality of our air, land and water, and we are committed to complying fully and transparently with all applicable laws and regulations."
Oh really?
Suzanne Powers, a compliance officer with the EPA, said the company came into compliance by reporting the releases that continue to occur. But instead of reporting on a daily basis, she said, the company has obtained a type of continuing release report, good for a year.
I see.
Monsanto’s no stranger to big fat fines for stuff like illegally selling genetically engineered seeds and exposing citizens to cancer-causing chemicals. But when you're a company worth $60 billion spending millions on lobbying every year, these fines are a joke.