EPA v. N-REN CORP, S.W. DIV

Case summary

SUMMARY N-REN CORP, SOUTHWEST DIV, OWNS/OPERATES AMMONIA AND AMMONIUM NITRATE PROD FAC, INCL NITRIC ACID PLNT. PRODUCTS ARE USED TO MANUFACTURE FERTILIZERS AND EXPLOSIVES AT OTH FAC. NITRIC ACID PLNT SUBJECT TO NSPS. REG 06 REQUESTS PNL TYS AND INJUNC UNDER SECT 113B FOR VIOL BY N-REN. N-REN EMISSIONS VIOL NSPS. N-REN HAS LONG HISTORY OF NOT ATTAINING/MAINTAINING COMPL W/NSPS. CO NOT ABLE TO MEET PERFORMANCE TEST UNTIL TWO YRS AFTER START UP. N-REN CLAIME D IT COULD NOT COMPLY DUE TO HIGH OPERATION COSTS AND WANTED STANDARDS RELAXED UNTIL IT COULD BRING ITS COSTS DOWN. EPA WOULD NOT GRNT EXEMPTION. CASES REFERRED ON 05/24/80 BUT CO CEASED OPERATION BEFORE CASE COULD BE FILED AND HAS OPERATED SPORADICALLY SINCE. COMPLAINT ALLEGES 1) N-REN OPERATED PLANT FROM 10/24/79 TO 6/18/82 WITHOUT OPERATING ALL AIR POLLUTION EQUIPMENT- VIOLATION OF SECT 111 (E), 42USC7411(E), AND 40CFR60.11(D). 2) N-REN DISCHARGED NITROGENOCIDES IN EXCESS OF NSPS RE- QUIREMENTS FROM 8/15/83 THROUGH 8/22/83-VIOLATIONS OF SECT 111(E), 42USC7411(E), AND 40CFR60.72(A)(1). 3) N-REN DID NOT CONDUCT CONTINOUS MONITORING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE EVOL- UTION ON OR BEFORE 9/11/79-VIALTION OF SECTIONS 111(E) AND 114, 42USC SECT 7411(E) AND 7414, AND 40CFR SECT 60.13AND 60.73.

Defendants (1)

• N-REN CORP.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• N-REN SOUTHWEST INC

  6 MI E ON HOBBS HWY, CARLSBAD, NM, 88220

  Registry ID: 110007975539

Statutes cited

• CAA 114 — Record keeping, Inspection, Information Request
• CAA 111E — Clean Air Act

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• N-RENentered 1985-09-30

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $50,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1984-03-28Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1984-04-30Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1984-05-02Complaint Filed With Court
• 1985-09-30Final Order Lodged
• 1985-09-30Final Order Entered
• 1985-09-30Concluded
• 1989-04-21Enforcement Action Closed