EPA v. SASOL NORTH AMERICA, INC

Case summary

EPA REGION ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT TO SASOL NORTH AMERICA, INC., ( SASOL ), SEEKING A TOTAL PENALTY OF $33,517.00 FOR VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 103(a) OF CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. SECTION 9603 AND SECTIONS 304(b) AND 304(c) OF EPCRA, 42 U.S.A. SECTION 11004(b) AND 11004(c). SASOL, FAILED TO NOTIFY THE SERC, AND THE LEPC IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A RELEASE OF APPROXIMATELY TWENTY (20) POUNDS OF BENZENE FROM ITS FACILITY IN BALTIMORE MARYLAND, ON DECEMBER 13, 2002. IN ADDITION, THE COMPANY DID NOT SUBMIT A FOLLOW-UP REPORT REGARDING THE DECEMBER 13TH RELEASE TO THE SERC UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS AFTER THE RELEASE, THEREBY VIOLATING THE REQUIREMENT IN SECTION 304(c) OF EPCRA, 42 U.S.C. SECTION 11004(c), THAT FOLLOW-UP REPORTS BE SUBMITTED AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. SASOL'S FAILURE TO REPORT THE DECEMBER 13, 2002 RELEASE OR BENZENE IMMEDIATELY TO THE SERC, AND THE LEPC, AND ITS FAILURE TO SUBMIT A FOLLOW-UP REPORT TO THE SERC AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, UNDETERMINED THE REPORTING SYSTEMS UNDER CERCLA AND EPCRA, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO RESPOND TO CHEMICAL RELEASE FROM FACILITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. PROPOSED PENALTY AMOUNTS ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS: CERCLA [$10,313.00] & EPCRA [$23,204.00] = $33,517.00.

Defendants (1)

• SASOL NORTH AMERICA, INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• SASOL NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  3441 FAIRFIELD ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21226

  Registry ID: 110009048333

• SASOL NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  3441 FAIRFIELD ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21226

  Registry ID: 110009048333

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 103A — Notification of Hazardous Reportable Quantity Release
• EPCRA 304 — Emergency Release Notification Section 313 Program

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SASOL NORTH AMERICA, INCentered 2004-12-30

  Primary law: EPCRA

  Federal penalty: $18,500

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2004-06-16Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2004-06-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2004-12-30Final Order Issued