Ingredion to reduce emissions in Indianapolis

By Andi Anderson

Ingredion Incorporated, a plant-based ingredient maker, has agreed to a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and the Indiana Attorney General's Office to resolve claims that it violated the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its corn wet milling facility in Indianapolis.

Under the settlement, Ingredion will pay a civil penalty of $1,139,600 and implement measures at a cost of nearly $7 million to reduce and offset unpermitted emissions of particulate matter (PM) and to comply with lower future PM limits.

The settlement stems from a complaint alleging that Ingredion violated CAA permit limits on PM emissions, including inhalable PMs with a diameter of 10 microns or less, and volatile organic compounds. The complaint also states that Ingredion did not operate and monitor certain equipment as required to minimize air emissions.

“This settlement requires Ingredion to lower its emissions of particulate matter, which can cause serious health problems, and also requires Ingredion to take steps to offset the unlawful emissions it released in the past,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “To help ensure the Company’s future compliance, Ingredion must implement a compliance management system that is subject to an independent audit program.”

In addition to paying the civil penalty and implementing emission reduction measures, Ingredion has also agreed to mitigate the harm associated with past excess PM emissions by paving onsite unpaved and partially paved roads and parking areas and replacing aging railway locomotives at the facility with two modern locomotives that meet emissions standards.

The settlement also requires Ingredion to contribute $560,400 to the State of Indiana to support Brownfields redevelopment in and around Marion County, Indiana.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

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