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

Case summary

THE REGIONAL JUDICIAL OFFICER SIGNED A FINAL ORDER ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2014, ACCEPTING THE CONSENT AGREEMENT WITH MARKWEST LIBERTY BLUESTONE, LLC, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF TWO NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS LOCATED IN EVANS CITY, BUTLER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. THE FACILITIES EACH RECEIVE PRODUCED NATURAL GAS FROM A FIELD GATHERING SYSTEM. THE PRODUCED NATURAL GAS IS DEHYDRATED TO REMOVE WATER AND THE GAS IS THEN SENT THROUGH REFRIGERATION DEW POINT CONTROL UNITS WHERE THE CONDENSABLE LIQUIDS ARE EXTRACTED FROM THE METHANE GAS STREAM. THE CONDENSABLE LIQUIDS ARE THEN SENT TO PRESSURIZED BULLET STORAGE TANKS. THE CONSENT AGREEMENT COMMENCES AND SETLES AN ALLEGED VIOLATION OF CAA SECTION 112(r)(7), WHICH CONCERNS MARKWEST'S FAILURE TO DOCUMENT THAT ITS BULLET TANKS ARE DESIGNED AND OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECOGNIZED AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED GOOD ENGINEERING PRACTICES. THE PARTIES ENTERED INTO AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON CONSENT ON JUNE 16, 2014 FOR MARKWEST TO ADDRESS THE DEFICIENCIES. IN SETTLEMENT OF THE CAA VIOLATION, MARKWEST AGREED TO PAY A CASH PENALTY.

Defendants (1)

• MARKWEST LIBERTY BLUESTONE, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• SARSEN GAS PLANT

  774 PROSPECT ROAD, EVANS CITY, PA, 16033

  Registry ID: 110043569787

• BLUESTONE GAS PLANT

  440 HARTMANN ROAD, EVANS CITY, PA, 16033

  Registry ID: 110045954927

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][1] — Prevention of Accidental Release/General Duty Clause
• CAA 112[R][7] — Prevention of Accidental Release/Risk Management Plans (RMPs)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MARKWEST LIBERTY BLUESTONE, LLC (BLUESTONE GAS & SARSEN GAS)entered 2014-09-08

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $74,556

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2014-09-08Final Order Issued
• 2014-09-08Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-09-18Enforcement Action Data Entered