EPA v. STEPAN COMPANY

Case summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 issued a Complaint and Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) to Stepan Company for violations of the National Emission Standard for Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) of Equipment Leaks at the company�s Elwood facility. The violation identified was the failure to monitor fugitive Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) emissions from process components in the Pthalic Anhydride Unit subject to Leak Detection and Repair requirements in accordance with EPA Reference Method 21. The HAP in the Pthalic Anhydride Unit is ortho-xylene. The agreement requires Stepan Company to implement an enhanced leak detection and repair program for a two-year period, which will reduce ortho-xylene emissions at the facility by at least 4,600 pounds per year. This CAFO also requires Stepan Company to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $5,000.

Defendants (1)

• STEPAN COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• STEPAN CO

  22500 STEPAN DR, ELWOOD, IL, 60421-9646

  Registry ID: 110000432504

• STEPAN CO

  22500 STEPAN DR, ELWOOD, IL, 60421-9646

  Registry ID: 110000432504

Statutes cited

• CAA 112D — MACT Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• STEPAN COMPANYentered 2005-09-08

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $5,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2005-09-08Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2005-09-08Final Order Issued
• 2005-09-22Enforcement Action Data Entered