EPA v. MARKWEST - GAS PLANTS (LEAD) (NC)

Case summary

MPLX has agreed to perform the following injunctive relief: comply with NSPS Subpart OOOO at all plants; implement a 5-year LDAR Program at 12 of the 20 plants covered by the Consent Decree, and a limited version of the LDAR Program at the other 8 plants; improve or upgrade all pilot-operated pressure relief valves with emission bypass issues; comply with NSPS Subpart NNN; monitor fin fan plugs quarterly using optical gas imaging (OGI); improve efficiency on enclosed combustors to comply with NSPS Subpart OOOO; use alternative work practice (OGI plus Method 21 testing) for hose connections at railcars and truck loading operations; upgrade natural gasoline tanks to minimize releases from all deck fittings; require hot oil process heaters to comply with NSPS Subparts Db and Dc; and correct permits, as appropriate. Defendants have calculated the cost of injunctive relief to be approximately $2.8 million. In addition, under the Decree, MPLX will spend $775,000 on mitigation projects, including $700,000 for the installation of control equipment to reduce fugitive VOC emissions from truck loading operations at compressor stations in Pennsylvania and Ohio. MPLX will pay a civil penalty of $925,000 as follows: (i) $693,751 to the United States; (ii) $77,083 to Oklahoma; (iii) $77,083 to Pennsylvania; and (iv) $77,083 to West Virginia. In addition, MPLX will perform Supplemental Environmental Projects consisting of the following: (i) installation and operation of VOC fence-line monitoring systems at 4 facilities (the Houston facility in Pennsylvania, the Sherwood facility in West Virginia, the Siloam facility in Kentucky, and the Carthage facility in Texas) valued at $2.5 million; and (ii) implement a study of the efficacy of predictive leak monitoring software at the Seneca facility in Ohio, valued at $75,000. EPA anticipates emission reductions of approximately 1,523 tons per year of VOCs from implementation of the Consent Decree.

Defendants (1)

• MARKWEST - CADIZ PLANTNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• MARKWEST HOPEDALE FRACTIONATOR

  46700 GIACOBBI ROAD, JEWETT, OH, 43986

  Registry ID: 110055521957

• MARKWEST UTICA CONDENSATE STABILIZATION FACILITY

  44200 CADIZ-STEUBENVILLE ROAD, CADIZ, OH, 43907

  Registry ID: 110064590072

• MARKWEST - SENECA GAS PLANT

  ZEP ROAD, SUMMERFIELD, OH, 43788

  Registry ID: 110062736810

• MARKWEST HOPEDALE FRACTIONATOR

  46700 GIACOBBI ROAD, JEWETT, OH, 43986

  Registry ID: 110055521957

• MARKWEST - CADIZ GAS PLANT

  43071 INDUSTRIAL PARK RD, CADIZ, OH, 43907

  Registry ID: 110054359305

• MARKWEST UTICA CONDENSATE STABILIZATION FACILITY

  44200 CADIZ-STEUBENVILLE ROAD, CADIZ, OH, 43907

  Registry ID: 110064590072

Statutes cited

• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MARKWEST - GAS PLANTS (LEAD) (NC)entered 2019-01-08

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $308,334

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2016-12-22Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2016-12-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2018-11-01Final Order Lodged
• 2018-11-01Complaint Filed With Court
• 2019-01-08Final Order Entered