Wapato Company Fined for Clean Air Act Violations

YAKIMA (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Pace International for Clean Air Act violations that occurred within the Yakama Indian Reservation.

Pace, based in Wapato, makes food coatings such as vegetable waxes which are used to protect fruit and vegetables for their farm to table journey.

The EPA said Thursday that during the course of making these coatings, compounds were released to the atmosphere that are harmful if inhaled.

The settlement includes a $77,134 penalty. In addition, Pace agreed to invest in a pollution-reducing facility upgrade.