EPA v. MARKWEST LIBERTY BLUESTONE, LLC (BLUESTONE & SARSEN)

Case summary

REGION III ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER ON CONSENT ( ORDER ) TO MARKWEST LIBERTY BLUESTONE, LLC, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF THE BLUESTONE GAS PROCESSING PLANT AND THE SARSEN GAS PROCESSING PLANT, BOTH OF WHICH ARE LOCATED IN EVANS CITY, PENNSYLVANIA. THE FACILITIES RECEIVE NATURAL GAS FROM WELL SITES, SEPARATE OUT THE LIQUIDS FROM THE NATURAL GAS AND ROUTE THE NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS TO LARGE BULLET RANKS AT THE FACILITIES. EPA CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION OF THE FACILITIES ON JUNE 13, 2013, TO ASSESS COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112(r)(7) OF THE CAA. EPA DETERMINED THAT MARKWEST VIOLATED THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM'S PROCESS SAFETY REQUIREMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE BULLET TANKS COMPLIED WITH RECOGNIZED AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED GOOD ENGINEERING CODES. AT THE REQUEST OF THE AGENCY, MARKWEST CONDUCTED A SAFETY ANALYSIS FOR EACH FACILITY IN EARLY 2014. WITH THIS OREDER, MARKWEST CONDUCTED A SAFETY ANALYSIS FOR EACH FACILITY IN EARLY 2014. WITH THIS ORDER, MARKWEST AGREED TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SAFETY ANALYSIS, I.E. TO INSTALL A DRAINAGE AND SPILL CONTAMINMENT AREA FOR THE BULLET TANKS, UPDATE THE FIRE EMERGENCY PLAN, ENSURE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FOR TRANSFER HOSES AND EXTEND THE DISCHARGE PIPING ON THE BULLETS TANKS. ISSUANCE OF THIS ORDER WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY DECREASING THE RISK OF RELEASES OF EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.

Defendants (1)

• MARKWEST LIBERTY BLUESTONE, LLCNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• BLUESTONE GAS PLANT

  440 HARTMANN ROAD, EVANS CITY, PA, 16033

  Registry ID: 110045954927

• SARSEN NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANT

  774 PROSPECT ROAD, EVANS CITY, PA, 16033

  Registry ID: 110043569787

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][7] — Prevention of Accidental Release/Risk Management Plans (RMPs)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MARKWEST LIBERTY BLUESTONE, LLC (BLUESTONE & SARSEN)entered 2014-06-13

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2014-06-13Final Order Issued
• 2014-06-26Enforcement Action Data Entered