3 Louisiana facilities pay nearly $1.5 million in fines for Clean Air Act violations

Three Louisiana agencies settled alleged violations with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the agency, the company violated the Clean Air Actwith specific charges, including:

Unauthorized emissions of chemical substances
Violation of startup/shutdown/failure requirements
Failure to comply with the requirements of the National Standards for Emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants

As part of the agreement with the EPA, the DuPont Pontchartrain Works petrochemical company in LaPlace to pay a civil penalty of $480,000. The company was accused of unauthorized emissions exceeding the permissible limit in a benzene storage tank, as well as non-compliance with open line regulations. To remedy the situation, the institution must:

Install modern equipment on the benzene storage tank
Improve monitoring using EPA Method 21 and optical gas imaging
Have a third party inspect all conservation or emergency vents that store benzene or Group 1 liquids
Keep track of required records, reporting and permits

On the contrary a leased bulk storage terminal in Hahnville will pay $168,000 in civil penalties for unauthorized emissions from external floating roof storage tanks determined using EPA’s Geospatial Air Pollution Measurement (“GMAP”) technology. As part of the calculation, the facility that stores raw materials, products, and benzene-containing wastewater of an adjacent facility must:

Perform quarterly inspections of each floating roof tank, including seals
Obtain permission and verification of activities conducted by an independent third-party auditor
Take site-specific corrective actions

finally, Westlake Chemical (formerly Axiall) in Lake Charles will pay a civil penalty of $825,000 to settle the matter with the EPA. A company that did not comply with start, stop and failure requirements and had unauthorized emissions will have to:

Submit a performance test plan and perform additional testing of the two thermal oxidizers
Provide a list of all pressure relief devices used for hazardous air pollutants
Conduct audio, visual and olfactory monitoring of these devices for ten months
Ensure that its startup/shutdown/failure plan meets all regulatory and permit requirements

What people say

In a recent quote, Regional Administrator Dr. Earthy Nance said, “Many communities in South Louisiana live with a daily burden of pollution unimaginable in other regions. EPA worked directly with these residents and used a variety of tools to assess potential impacts from permitted facilities. These legal arrangements will hold facilities accountable and prevent future excess emissions that affect nearby residents.”

EPA in the news

Parker Hannifin to pay $366,000 after EPA audit finds hazardous waste violations
The EPA inspected the company’s facility in Enumclaw, Washington, and found more than 12 violations.

Roquette fined $207,000 for violating Clean Air Act provisions to prevent chemical hazards
Roquette, which stores more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, is not following regulations designed to protect nearby communities from potential accidental releases.

Venoil to pay $58,000 for Clean Water Act violations
Venoil did not properly inspect its tanks and equipment for leaks and spills.

Manufacturers are violating the Clean Air Act

Intalco Aluminum fined $5.25 million for emitting hazardous air pollutants
The company did not maintain or operate air pollution control systems at various times from 2017 to 2020.

Marathon will pay $64.5 million, the largest fine ever for violating the Clean Air Act
The company settled with the EPA and DOJ and agreed to implement appropriate measures to reduce harmful emissions.