EPA v. BUCKEYE PIPELINE

Case summary

Buckeye Pipe Line Company L.P., Upper Milford Twp., Lehigh Co., PA - On Friday, February 21, Buckeye Pipe Line Company L.P. (Buckeye) signed an Administrative Order by Consent (AOC) pursuant to the Clean Water Act to perform work at their facility in Lehigh County, PA. in response to a discharge of approximately 48,000 gallons of gasoline. PA DEP is also considering the issuance of a state order seeking significant fines and we have coordinated with them to assure the EPA and DEP orders are not inconsistent, and together provide a comprehensive response. Aggressive oil recovery efforts have been underway since the initial discovery of the discharge, and Buckeye reports to have recovered approximately half of the discharged gasoline. Groundwater monitoring indicates that the leading edge of the plume of gasoline-contaminated groundwater may now be affecting near-by residents, and bottled water has been provided by Buckeye. The first major deliverable to EPA under the AOC is a comprehensive Response Action Plan (RAP), which incorporates work performed to date, as well as a description of future response efforts. A public meeting is being planned for the third week of March to coincide with the release of the RAP.

Defendants (1)

• BUCKEYE PIPELINENamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• BUCKEYE PIPELINE

  5002 BUCKEYE ROAD, UPPER MILFORD TWP., PA, 18049

  Registry ID: 110028124385

Statutes cited

• CWA 311C2/311E — Emergency Powers Oil Imminent & Substantial Endangerment

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• BUCKEYE PIPELINEentered 2006-02-21

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2006-02-21Final Order Issued
• 2006-05-02Enforcement Action Data Entered