EPA v. Amerada Hess Corporation

Case summary

Seeking penalties and injunctive relief for known and potential Clean Air Act (CAA) violations at the Port Reading Refinery (Hess Refinery). Violations of NSR/PSD (40 C.F.R. Part 52); NESHAPS Subpart 61.340, known as the Benzene Waste NESHAP regulations; NSPS Subpart J, VV and GGG (40 C.F.R. 60.100, 60.330 and 60.590), NESHAPS Subparts J and V (40 C.F.R. 61.110, 61.241) and MACTS Subparts F, H and CC (40 C.F.R. 63.100, 63.160, 63.640) collectively known as Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Regulations. The proposed CD, which is the product of several years of settlement negotiations, is part of EPA's national Petroleum Refinery Initiative (PRI) and mirrors prior PRI settlements in all material respects. Among other notable features, the CD requires the Defendant to: (1) accept enforceable emission limits for sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO); (2) take actions that, when fully implemented, are expected to reduce the Refinery's nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by approximately 181 tons per year, and (3) implement an enhanced leak detection and repair (LDAR) program that should result in reduced volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. Under the CD, the Defendant will also pay a civil penalty, split evenly between the United States and the State of New Jersey.

Defendants (1)

• Hess CorporationNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• BUCKEYE PORT READING TERMINAL LLC.

  750 CLIFF RD, WOODBRIDGE, NJ, 07095

  Registry ID: 110056963745

• BUCKEYE PORT READING TERMINAL LLC.

  750 CLIFF RD, WOODBRIDGE, NJ, 07095

  Registry ID: 110056963745

• BUCKEYE PORT READING TERMINAL LLC.

  750 CLIFF RD, WOODBRIDGE, NJ, 07095

  Registry ID: 110056963745

• BUCKEYE PORT READING TERMINAL LLC.

  750 CLIFF RD, WOODBRIDGE, NJ, 07095

  Registry ID: 110056963745

• BUCKEYE PORT READING TERMINAL LLC.

  750 CLIFF RD, WOODBRIDGE, NJ, 07095

  Registry ID: 110056963745

• BUCKEYE PORT READING TERMINAL LLC.

  750 CLIFF RD, WOODBRIDGE, NJ, 07095

  Registry ID: 110056963745

Statutes cited

• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants
• CAA 173 — New Source Review Permit Requirements
• CAA 165 — Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Amerada Hess Corporationentered 2012-06-21

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $425,000 · State/local: $425,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 2004-09-28Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2004-09-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2012-04-19Complaint Filed With Court
• 2012-04-25Final Order Lodged
• 2012-06-21Concluded
• 2012-06-21Final Order Entered
• 2015-06-04Enforcement Action Closed
• 2015-06-04Air Resolved