EPA v. BULK CHEMICALS, INC.

Case summary

On August 23, 2021, EPA Region III issued Amendment Number 1 to Administrative Compliance Order on Consent (Order) to Bulk Chemicals, Inc., the operator of three chemical processing and distribution facilities located in Shoemakersville, Hamburg, and Blandon, Pennsylvania. EPA had issued the Order on August 27, 2000, after conducting an investigation into the three facilities in the aftermath of a June 10-11, 2019 nitric acid release and fire at the Shoemakersville facility. EPA determined that Bulk Chemicals violated CAA Section 112(r)(1) at the three facilities by failing to ensure that the oxidizers, corrosives, flammables and combustibles were stored safely in accordance with industry codes and standards. Under the Order, the company has retained a third-party contractor to assess compliance with industry codes and standards and to make improvements at the facilities to ensure chemicals are safely stored in order to improve public health and safety by decreasing the risk of releases of hazardous chemicals. The Amendment to the Order reflects a change in facility operations: Bulk Chemicals has decided to cease operations at the Blandon facility and transfer the chemicals to a leased facility in Reading, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has been notified of the enforcement case but Section 112(r)(1) of the CAA is not delegable to the states.

Defendants (1)

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.Named in settlement

Facilities (5)

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.

  72 FEICK AVE, HAMBURG, PA, 19526

  Registry ID: 110070624414

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.

  1076 PARK ROAD, BLANDON, PA, 19510

  Registry ID: 110070624413

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.

  809 MOHRSVILLE ROAD, SHOEMAKERSVILLE, PA, 19555

  Registry ID: 110059127010

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.

  1076 PARK ROAD, BLANDON, PA, 19510

  Registry ID: 110070624413

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.

  809 MOHRSVILLE ROAD, SHOEMAKERSVILLE, PA, 19555

  Registry ID: 110059127010

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.entered 2020-08-27

  Primary law: CAA

• BULK CHEMICALS, INC.entered 2021-08-23

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2020-08-28Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2021-08-23Final Order Issued
• 2021-08-27Enforcement Action Closed