EPA v. MARKWEST LIBERTY MIDSTREAM & RESOURCES, LLC (14 FACILITIES)

Case summary

EPA REGION III ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER ON CONSENT ( ORDER )TO MARKWES LIBERTY MIDSTREAM AND RESOURCES, LLC, THE OPERATOR OF 14 NATURAL GAS COMPRESSORY STATIONS LOCATED IN WASHINGTON AND BUTLER COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA. THE FACILITIES RECEIVE NATURAL GAS FROM WELL SITES, SEPARATE OUT THE LIQUIDS FROM THE NATURAL GAS AND ROUTE THE NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS TO ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS AT THE FACILITIES. EPA HAD CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION OF 10 OF THE FACILITES ON SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2011, TO ASSESS COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112(r)(1) OF THE CAA, (THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE) AMONG OTHER FEDERAL STATUTES. EPA DETERMINED THAT MARKWEST VIOLATED THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE BY FAILING TO (A) PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE OF THE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN THE TANKS BECAUSE THE TANKS LACKED SUFFICIENTLY-SIZED VENTING CAPABILITY AND (B) MAINTAIN THE THIEF HATCHES. WITH THIS ORDER, MARKWEST AGREED TO INSTALL APPROPRIATELY SIZED EMERGENCY VENTS ON THE TANKS AND ADOPT AN APPROVED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AT THE 10 INSPECTED FACILITY AS WELL AS 4 ADDITIONAL COMPRESSOR STATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA. ISSUANCE OF THIS ORDER WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY DECREASING THE RISK OF RELEASES OF EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.

Defendants (1)

• MARWEST LIBERTY MIDSTREAM & RESOURCES, LLCNamed in settlement

Facilities (14)

• MARK WEST LOWRY COMPRESSOR STATION

  100 OAKLEAF ROAD, WEST MIDDLETOWN, PA, 15379

  Registry ID: 110044217111

• MARK WEST STEWART COMPRESSOR STATION

  185 AVELLA ROAD, HICKORY, PA, 15340

  Registry ID: 110044233996

• MARK WEST BAKER COMPRESSOR STATION

  151 BAKER STATION ROAD, WASHINGTON, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110044234049

• MARK WEST HOSKINS COMPRESSOR STATION

  4026 BUFALO CREEK ROAD, CLAYSVILLE, PA, 15323

  Registry ID: 110044234003

• MARK WEST FULTON COMPRESSOR STATION

  103 WASHINGTON AVENUE, HICKORY, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110044234021

• MARK WEST JOHNSTON COMPRESSOR STATION

  210 JOHNSTON HILL ROAD, WASHINGTON, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110055175377

• MARK WEST WELLING COMPRESSOR STATION

  165 CARLISLE ROAD, CLAYSVILLE, PA, 15323

  Registry ID: 110044234058

• MARK WEST DRYER COMPRESSOR STATION

  819 SCENIC DRIVE, AVELIA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110055175359

• MARK WEST VOLL COMPRESSOR STATION

  318 WOODLANDS ROAD, EVANS CITY, PA, 16033

  Registry ID: 110055175420

• MARK WEST SHAW COMPRESSOR

  429 ARDEN MINEROAD, WASHINGTON, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110044233987

• MARK WEST BRIGICH COMPRESSOR

  340 BRIGICH ROAD, WASHINGTON, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110044233941

• MARK WEST GODWIN COMPRESSOR STATION

  2158 HENDERSON AVENUE, WASHINGTON, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110055175331

• MARK WEST TUPTA DAY COMPRESSOR STATION

  200 JOHNSTON ROAD, WASHINGTON, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110044234030

• MARK WEST REDD COMPRESSOR STATION

  576 REDD RUN ROAD, WASHINGTON, PA, 15301

  Registry ID: 110055175402

Statutes cited

• CAA 112R — General Duty/Accidental Release
• CAA 112[R][1] — Prevention of Accidental Release/General Duty Clause

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MARKWEST LIBERTY MIDSTREAM & RESOURCES, LLC (14 FACILITIES)entered 2013-03-14

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2013-03-14Final Order Issued
• 2013-03-25Enforcement Action Data Entered