EPA v. ANR PIPELINE CO - ACO

Case summary

This Administrative Consent Order (ACO) for ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) with operations at ANR's Sandwich Compressor Station in Sandwich, Illinois, addresses violations regarding the New Source Performance Standards for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities for which Construction, Modification or Reconstruction Commenced After September 18, 2015, found at 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subpart OOOOa. ANR failed to repair a leak of a fugitive emissions component at its Sandwich Compressor Station within the 2-year timeframe required by 40 C.F.R. ? 60.5397a(h)(3), and notified EPA in a letter submitted one month before the 2-year repair deadline requesting an extension. EPA noted that there is no mechanism in NSPS Subpart OOOOa or the NSPS general provisions for granting an extension of the 2-year repair deadline in 40 C.F.R. ? 60.5397a(h)(3), and because ANR had not repaired the leaks within the required timeframe, it was in violation of 40 C.F.R. ? 60.5397a(h)(3). EPA acknowledged that between September 2020 and June 30, 2021, the transmission and storage sector (of which ANR's Sandwich Compressor Station operations are a part) was not subject to the requirements of NSPS Subpart OOOOa due to the promulgation of a revised NSPS OOOOa rule. However, the subsequent repeal of that revised NSPS OOOOa rule via the Congressional Review Act and signature by the President in June 2021 reinstated the original NSPS OOOOa rule to which ANR's Sandwich Compressor Station operations were subject. This ACO requires ANR to come into compliance by fixing the leak by July 21, 2022. Instead of blowing down to atmosphere the gas in the pipeline segment needed to be evacuated in order to complete the repair, according to provisions specified in the ACO, ANR will use a portable gas compressor to recover gas from and reduce line pressure in the pipeline section to the minimum pressure achievable, therefore minimizing the gas that must be vented to the atmosphere to complete the repairs. This action will reduce methane, VOC, and HAP emissions by at least 88% from ANR's original planned blowdown emissions. Repair of the leaks will address the violations of 40 C.F.R. ? 60.5397a(h)(3).

Defendants (1)

• ANR PIPELINE CONamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ANR PIPELINE CO

  6650 SANDY BLUFF RD, SANDWICH, IL, 60548-7082

  Registry ID: 110018479813

Statutes cited

• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ANR PIPELINE CO - ACOentered 2022-02-16

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2022-02-16Final Order Issued
• 2022-02-18Enforcement Action Data Entered