EPA v. DOMINION COVE POINT LNG, LP

Case summary

THE REGIONAL JUDICIAL OFFICER ISSUED A FINAL ORDER ON DECEMBER 8, 2014, ACCEPTING THE CONSENT AGREEMENT TO COMMENCE AND SETTLE VIOLATIONS OF CERCLA SECTION 103 AND EPCRA SECTION 304 IN CONNECTION WITH MULTIPLE RELEASES OF MORE THAN 100 POUNDS OF AMMONIA THAT OCCURRED FROM JANUARY 3, 2013 THROUGH FEBRUARY 19, 2013 FROM A STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL FOR LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY DOMINION COVE POINT, LNG, LP, AND LOCATED AT 2100 COVE POINT ROAD IN LUSBY, MARYLAND. THE AMMONIA RELEASES OCCURRED DUE TO INCOMPLETE CONVERSION OF AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE IIN THE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEMS USED TO CONTROL EMISSIONS OF OXIDES OF NITROGEN FROM STACKS AT THE FACILITY. DOMINION COVE POINT FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER, THE STATE EMERGENCY ( SERC ) AND THE LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE ( LEPC ) FOLLOWING THE RELEASES OF AMMONIA FROM THE FACILITY ON 27 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND FAILED TO SUBMIT REQUIRED FOLLOW-UP REPORTS TO SERC AND THE LEPC. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2013, DOMINION COVE POINT CALLED THE NRC, SERC, AND LEPC TO INITIATE CONTINUOUS RELEASE REPORTING FOR AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM THE STACKS. IN SETTLEMENT, DOMINION COVE POINT HAS AGREED TO PAY A CASH PENALTY OF $365,000.

Defendants (1)

• DOMINION COVE POINT LNG, LPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• DOMINION COVE POINT LNG TERMINAL

  2100 COVE POINT ROAD, LUSBY, MD, 20657-4614

  Registry ID: 110001255150

• DOMINION COVE POINT LNG TERMINAL

  2100 COVE POINT ROAD, LUSBY, MD, 20657-4614

  Registry ID: 110001255150

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• DOMINION COVE POINT LNG, LPentered 2014-12-08

  Primary law: CERCLA

  Federal penalty: $365,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2014-12-08Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-12-08Final Order Issued
• 2015-01-15Enforcement Action Data Entered