EPA v. COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC

Case summary

2/27/2012 - COMPLIANCE ORDER ISSUED. ORDER STATES: ON AUGUST 30, 2011, EPA INSPECTORS CONDUCTED AN AIR COMPLIANCE INSPECTION OF THE COLUMBIA FACILITY UTILIZING A FORWARD LOOKING INFRARED GAS FINDER CAMERA (FLIR) THE FLIR IS AN IMAGING TECHNOLOGY THAT USES INFRARED RADIATION TO DETECT VARIOUS GASES AND HYDROCARBONS. AT THE TIME OF THE EPA'S AUGUST 30, 2011, INSPECTION OF THE COLUMBIA FACILITY, THE COLUMBIA FACILITY, THE FLIR CAMERA IDENTIFIED RELEASES OF AIR POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING METHANE, AT COMPRESSOR NO. 3 AND COMPRESSOR NO. THESE RELEASES DEMONSTRATE, AT A MINIMUM, RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO DESIGN AND MAINTAIN A SAFE FACILITY TAKING SUCH STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RELEASES, AND IS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 112(r)(1) OF THE ACT. AT THE TIME OF THE EPA'S AUGUST 30, 2011, INSPECTION OF THE COLUMBIA FACILITY, THE FLIR CAMERA IDENTIFIED ANOTHER RELEASE OF AIR POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING METHANE, FROM THE EMERGENCY BLOWOUT VENT LOCATED NEXT TO THE FACILITY SCRUBBERS. EMISSIONS FROM THE EMERGENCY BLOWOUT VENT WERE ALSO OBSERVED VISUALLY BY THE INSPECTORS WITHOUT THE USE OF THE FLIR OR ANY OTHER EQUIPMENT. EPA INSPECTORS DID NOT OBSERVE ANY EMERGENCIES OCCURRING AT THE TIME AND CONFIRMED WITH FACILITY PERSONNEL THAT NO EMERGENCIES WERE OCCURRING. SINCE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION DID NOT EXIST, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN O EMISSIONS FROM THE EMERGENCY BLOWOUT VENT. THESE RELEASES DEMONSTRATE, AT A MINIMUM, RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO DESIGN AND MAINTAIN A SAFE FACILITY TAKING SUCH STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RLEASES, AND IS VIOLATION OF SECTION 112(r)(1) OF THE ACT.

Defendants (1)

• COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION, L.L.C.Named in settlement

Facilities (1)

• COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORP

  6090 HURRICANE RD, PIKEVILLE, KY, 41501

  Registry ID: 110003232136

Statutes cited

• CAA 112R — General Duty/Accidental Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION, LLCentered 2012-02-27

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2012-02-27Final Order Issued
• 2012-03-30Enforcement Action Data Entered