DEQ fines company over leaks in Isaac

State regulators say they are issuing a $12,189 fine against a chemical terminal flooded during Hurricane Isaac because it did not notify authorities fast enough about chemical releases.

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said it issued the fine against Stolthaven New Orleans LLC, a company that operates a chemical terminal along the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish.

DEQ says the chemicals — 1-octene and ethyl acrylate — leaked out on Aug. 30 but that the company told DEQ about it on Sept. 1. A company is supposed to alert authorities within one hour of a release.

DEQ says more fines may be issued against Stolthaven.

Cleanup continues at the facility. The company has reported thousands of gallons of chemicals leaked from tanks damaged by storm surge.