EPA v. Cincinnati Renewable Fuels LLC CAFO

Case summary

Starting on February 17, 2015 at or about 10:00 a.m. and continuing until February 23, 2015, a release of approximately 31,449 pounds of methanol occurred from Respondent?s facility. On February 21, 2015 at or about 10:00 a.m. and continuing until February 22, 2015 at 9:59 a.m., a release occurred from Respondent?s facility of approximately 12,410 pounds of methanol. Respondent did not immediately notify the NRC as soon as the Respondent had knowledge of the February 21 and 22, 2015 releases. This is a violation of Section 103(a) of CERCLA. Respondent did not immediately notify notify the Ohio SERC or the Hamilton County LEPC after Respondent had knowledge of the releases. Respondent did not provide the Ohio SERC with the written follow-up emergency notice of the releases as soon as practicable. This is a violation of Section 304(c) of EPCRA. A civil penalty for the CERCLA violations was agreed to of $3,750. AS civil penalty for the EPCRA violations was agreed to of $8,750. In addition Respondent agreed to complete a supplemental environmental project designed to protect the environment and public health by spending no less than $57,000 to purchase a fire response trailer and 2 totes of alcohol-resistant foam for the local fire department.

Defendants (1)

• Cincinnati Renewable Fuels, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• CINCINNATI RENEWABLE FUELS

  4700 ESTE AVE, CINCINNATI, OH, 45232-1415

  Registry ID: 110042050240

• CINCINNATI RENEWABLE FUELS

  4700 ESTE AVE, CINCINNATI, OH, 45232-1415

  Registry ID: 110042050240

Statutes cited

• EPCRA 304 — Emergency Release Notification Section 313 Program
• CERCLA 103A — Notification of Hazardous Reportable Quantity Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Cincinnati Renewable Fuels LLC CAFOentered 2016-09-30

  Primary law: CERCLA

  Federal penalty: $12,500 · SEP: $57,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2016-09-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2016-09-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2016-09-30Final Order Issued
• 2017-03-03Enforcement Action Closed
• 2017-03-13Pipeline Closed