EPA v. QPI Holdings, Inc., f/k/a Quality Propane Inc. (Burnsville and Hastings MN) CAFO

Case summary

Quality Propane is the respondent in this case, and owns two bulk propane storage facilities , one in Burnsville, Minnesota, and another in Hastings, Minnesota. They sell the propane for residential heating and for industrial uses such as construction and roofing. An inspection was conducted at the Burnsville facility on June 22, 2011. During the inspection, Mr. Head, the owner of Quality Propane advised the inspectors of a second facility in Hastings, Minnesota. Both facilities had propane present in greater than the minimum threshold for reporting in EPCRA in calendar years 2009 and 2010, and both failed to submit a Tier II. A notice of Intent to file a Civil Administrative Complaint was issued on February 13, 2014. EPA originally calculated a $93,304 proposed penalty. The penalty was reduced to $60, 648.00 for cooperation and settling before the complaint was filed. Respondent agreed to accept this CAFO, pay a civil penalty of $15,718.00 to the U.S. Treasury and conduct a Supplemental Environmental Project totaling $47,987.00 for a total settlement of $63,705.00. The SEPS include purchasing and donating emergency response equipment to the Burnsville Fire Department and upgrading the security and alarm system at the Burnsville facility.Respondent must spend at least $47,987.00 for the SEPS described in the CAFO, specifically $32,700.00 on Project A and $15,287.00 on Project B. Respondent must submit a SEP complation report to USEPA by April 31, 2015.

Defendants (1)

• QPI Holdings, Inc. f/k/a Quality PropaneNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• QUALITY PROPANE INC.

  12650 ZENITH AVE, BURNSVILLE, MN, 55337

  Registry ID: 110043711613

• KIMMES BAUER WELL DRILLING INC

  22100 LILLEHEI AVE, HASTINGS, MN, 55033-9357

  Registry ID: 110008766371

Statutes cited

• EPCRA 312 — Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Forms

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• QPI Holdings, Inc., f/k/a Quality Propane Inc. (Burnsville and Hastings MN) CAFOentered 2015-03-10

  Primary law: EPCRA

  Federal penalty: $15,718 · SEP: $47,987

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2015-03-10Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2015-03-10Final Order Issued
• 2015-03-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2016-06-10Enforcement Action Closed
• 2016-06-10Pipeline Closed