EPA v. GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

Case summary

08/03/2026 - Consent Decree with Global Oil terminated on July 23, 2026 because Defendants have met all requirements for termination. 12/19/19 - Under the Consent Decree, Global will implement a series of operating conditions for the heated tanks at its facility that will reduce VOC emissions from these tanks. Global will apply for a Maine permit and will install, operate and maintain mist eliminators on the vents of the heated tanks. Global will pay a civil penalty of $40,000 and will conduct a supplemental environmental project (?SEP?), for a wood stove change-out program, at a cost of at least $150,000. Global Petroleum owns and operates a facility in South Portland, Maine that stores and distributes heavy petroleum products such as #6 oil and asphalt. These products, which are stored in heated tanks, emit VOCs during periods of on-site storage as well as during loading and unloading operations. EPA required Global to conduct sampling and VOC emissions testing of its heavy petroleum operation in South Portland, Maine. Based on the results, EPA determined that the facility is subject to federally-enforceable Maine state implementation plan requirements for the control of VOC emissions. On September 30, 2015, EPA referred this CAA matter to the Department of Justice to seek civil penalties and injunctive relief including required state permits and VOC emission controls. On March 25, 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of Region 1, lodged a proposed Consent Decree with the U.S. District Court of Maine, resolving alleged Clean Air Act and Maine State Implementation Plan (ME SIP) violations by Global Partners LP, Global Companies LLC, and Chelsea Sandwich LLC (collectively, Global) which own and operate a petroleum product storage/distribution facility in South Portland, Maine. The facility stores and distributes heavy petroleum products such as #6 oil and asphalt. These products, which are stored in heated tanks, emit volatile organic compounds during loading and unloading operations, as well as during periods of on-site storage. Under the Consent Decree, Global will implement a series of required operating conditions for the heated tanks at its facility that will reduce VOC emissions from these tanks. Global will also install mist eliminator systems on the tanks to address local air impacts from the tanks. Global will pay a civil penalty of $40,000 and complete a SEP for a wood stove change-out program for residents in the South Portland, Maine local area involving the replacement/retrofit of older residential wood burning stoves/boilers with updated, less polluting stoves/boilers. Global will dedicate at least $150,000 (plus pay additional administrative costs) to complete the SEP. Requirements for CAA primary and secondary ambient air quality standards have been delegated to the State via the federally-enforceable Maine SIP. Maine DEP is aware of this action.

Defendants (1)

• GLOBAL PARTNERS LPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• GLOBAL COMPANIES LLC

  1 CLARK RD, SOUTH PORTLAND, ME, 04106

  Registry ID: 110032893670

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• GLOBAL PARTNERS LPentered 2019-12-19

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $40,000 · SEP: $150,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 2015-09-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2015-10-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2019-03-25Complaint Filed With Court
• 2019-03-25Final Order Lodged
• 2019-12-19Final Order Entered
• 2026-07-23Air Resolved
• 2026-07-23Enforcement Action Closed