EPA fines Richland company that handles radioactive waste

A Richland facility that handles radioactive and hazardous chemical waste has agreed to pay $23,375 to the federal government for not having adequate liability insurance.

The issue occurred at Perma-Fix Northwest from September 2013 to September 2014, but was discovered in an inspection by the Environmental Protection Agency last year.

A settlement agreement with EPA was reached in late summer, EPA announced Tuesday.

Perma-Fix, which could not be reached immediately for comment, did not admit the allegation, according to the settlement agreement.

The facility at 2025 Battelle Blvd. is required to have $2 million in coverage annually, with at least $1 million per occurrence, to cover any injury or property damage claims.

Perma-Fix offers services including treating , volume reduction and repackaging of waste. The Hanford nuclear reservation is among its customers.