EPA v. Carbide Technologies, Inc. (Fraser) ESA

Case summary

On March 18, 2014, USEPA representatives conducted a compliance inspection of Carbide Technologies, Inc. located at 18101 Malyn Boulevard, Fraser, Michigan 48026 to determine its compliance with the Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations pursuant to Section 112 (r) of the Clean Air Act. EPA determined that the Respondent violated the following regulations: (1) Respondent failed to maintain records for the worst-case scenario which involved a description of the vessel and substance selected as worst case and assumptions and parameters used; (2) Respondent failed to maintain records for the alternative release scenario which included a description of the scenario identified, assumptions and parameters used, and the rationale for the selection of the specific scenario; (3) Respondent failed to develop written operating procedures that provide clear instructions for safely conducting activities involved in each covered process consistent with the process safety information and that addressed initial startup; and (4) Respondent failed to follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices for inspection and testing procedures, specifically for the exercising of shutoff valves. A civil penalty of $2,640.00 was agreed to by both parties for these alleged violations.

Defendants (1)

• Carbide Technologies, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• CARBIDE TECHNOLOGIES INC

  18101 MALYN BLVD., FRASER, MI, 48026

  Registry ID: 110002116861

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Carbide Technologies, Inc. (Fraser) ESAentered 2014-09-11

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $2,640

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 2014-09-11Pipeline Closed
• 2014-09-11Enforcement Action Closed
• 2014-09-11Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-09-11Compliance Achieved
• 2014-09-11Final Order Issued
• 2014-09-16Enforcement Action Data Entered