EPA v. RYMES HEATING OILS INC

Case summary

THE CLEAN AIR ACT PROHIBITS ANY PERSON FROM SELLING OR DISTRIBUTING DIESEL FUEL USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH CONTAIN A SULFUR CONTENT IN EXCESS OF .05 PERCENT WEIGHT. BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER 1996 UNTIL LATE 1997, RYMES HAD A CONTRACT WITH THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PROVIDE NHDOT WITH COMPLYING (SULFUR) DIESEL FOR USE IN ITS MOTOR VEHICLES. ON AT LEAST 112 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT, RYMES SOLD NONCOMPLYING, HIGH SULFUR FUEL (NAME HOME HEATING OIL OR #2 FUEL OIL ) TO NHDOT, IN VIOLATION OF THE ACT AND THE DIES REGULATIONS AT 40 CFR PART 80. THIS IS A JUDICIAL REFERRAL TO DOJ FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF A CIVIL ACTION IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. THIS ACTION SEEKS MONETARY PENALTIES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF TO DETER VIOLATIONS BY RYMES AND OTHERS WITHIN THE REGULATED COMMUNITY.

Defendants (1)

• RYMES HEATING OILS INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• RYMES HEATING OILS INC

  2 MAIN ST, ANTRIM, NH, 03440

  Registry ID: 110010639283

Statutes cited

• CAA 211 — Regulation of Fuels - Motor Vehicle and Engine Fuels

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• RYMES HEATING OILS INCentered 2000-12-05

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $200,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1998-06-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1998-07-02Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2000-09-19Final Order Lodged
• 2000-09-19Complaint Filed With Court
• 2000-12-05Final Order Entered
• 2000-12-05Concluded
• 2001-12-05Enforcement Action Closed