EPA v. STANDARD CHLORINE OF DELAWARE, INC.

Case summary

ON 1/5/86, A STORAGE TANK CONTAINING DICHLOROBENZENE(DCB) EXPLOSIVELY RUPUTURED. THE RELEASE OF DCB DAMAGED 3 ADDI- IONAL TANKS W/THE RESULT THAT OVER 400,000 GALLONS OF THE CHEMICAL WAS RELEASED, MUCH OF IT ENTERING AN UNNAMED CREEK, A TIDAL MARSH & RED LION CREEK. AN EPA INSPECTOR WAS ON SITE & PHOTOGRAPHED THE SPILL ON 1/5-6/86. DEF HAS SINCE REPORTED TO EPA THAT THE MATERIAL SPILLED AT THEIR FACILITY WAS IN FACT DCB, A DESIGNATED HAZARDOUS SUB- STSANCE, AND THAT THE VOLUME SPILLED WAS GREATLY IN EXCESS OF THE 100 LB QUANITY DESIGNATED IN 40 CFR SEC 117.3 AS GIV- ING RISE TO LIABILITY UNDER SEC 311 OF CWA. BECAUSE OF THE SIZE & NATURE OF THE SPILL, THE COAST GUARD REFERRED THIS CASE TO EPA RATHER THAN PROCEEDING AD- MINISTRATIVELY. REG 3 PROPOSES ONLY A SEC 311 ACTION, AS THE COMPANY'S CLEAN-UP EFFORTS APPEAR PRESENTLY TO BE PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY, ALBEIT SLOWLY. SHOULD FUTURE INJUNCTIVE RE- LIEF BECOMES NECESSARY, THE REGION WOULD RECOMMEND AN ACTION UNDER SEC 309 OF CWA OR SEC 106 OF CERCLA.

Defendants (1)

• STANDARD CHLORINE OF DELAWARE, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• METACHEM PRODUCTS LLC

  745 GOVERNOR LEA ROAD, NEW CASTLE, DE, 19720

  Registry ID: 110000338554

Statutes cited

• CWA 311 — Oil and Hazardous Substance Liability

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• STANDARD CHLORINE OF DELA.entered 1987-05-20

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $37,500

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1986-05-09Referred To Headquarters
• 1986-06-01Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1986-07-01Complaint Filed With Court
• 1987-05-20Final Order Lodged
• 1987-05-20Final Order Entered
• 1987-05-20Concluded
• 1987-06-12Enforcement Action Closed