EPA v. BASF CORPORATION

Case summary

On September 22,2008 and September 25, 2009, Region 5 issued Finding of Violations to BASF for violations of the Clean Air Act and its implementing regulations under the Amino/Phenolic Resins NESHAP at 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart OOO, and the Polyether Polyols NESHAP at 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart PPP. Specifically, BASF committed the following violations: (1) failure to perform Method 21 leak detection and repair monitoring correctly; (2) failure to equip open-ended lines with a closure device; (3) failure to conduct all required monthly leak detection monitoring of pumps and agitators; (4) failure to conduct a required performance test of the facility’s thermal oxidizer emission control device correctly; (5) failure to conduct group status determination (determination whether emission control requirements apply) of 11 process wastewater stream points of determination; (6) failure to control emissions from three Group 1 wastewater stream points of determination; (7) failure to perform a compliance determination for a covered process vent; (8) failure to perform a compliance determination and conduct compliance monitoring of two condensers functioning as control devices; and (9) failure to properly quantify emission episodes as part of compliance determination calculations. Under the terms of the CAFO, BASF must pay a civil penalty of $788,048 and spend at least $250,000 to conduct a supplemental environmental project involving the retrofit or replacement of municipal diesel vehicles in Wayne County, Michigan with certified clean-diesel technologies or configurations. As a result of Findings of Violations issued by EPA in this case, BASF reformulated the portion of its polyether polyol manufacturing process that was generating one Group 1 wastewater stream, thereby eliminating 3.48 tons of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and the need for HAP emission control for that stream.

Defendants (1)

• BASF CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (8)

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

• BASF CORPORATION - PLASTICS PLANTS

  1609 BIDDLE AVENUE, WYANDOTTE, MI, 48192

  Registry ID: 110000494019

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• BASF CORPORATIONentered 2012-06-19

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $788,048 · SEP: $250,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2012-06-19Final Order Issued
• 2012-06-19Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2012-06-19Complaint Filed/Proposed Order