An Iowa-based company that mixes and transports chemicals for customers in the printing, coating, and cleaning industries has agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle federal environmental violations and ensure safety at six plants in Iowa, Kansas and Wisconsin.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that Barton Solvents agreed to changes to correct found hazardous-waste storage and spill-prevention regulation violations.
Barton President Dave Casten says the company doesn't agree with all the EPA's allegations but has made several improvements and is cooperating with the agency.
The EPA says Clean Air Act violations caused explosions and fires at Barton plants in Valley Center, Kansas, and Des Moines, Iowa, in 2007.
Barton also has facilities in Council Bluffs and Bettendorf, Iowa; Kansas City, Kansas; and West Bend, Wisconsin.