EPA v. CELANESE CHEMICAL

Case summary

FACTS SHEET: * CELANESE CHEMICAL, LOCATED IN BAY CITY, TX, MANUFACTURES ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CHEMICALS. * THE RCRA REGULATED LAND-BASED UNITS ON THE PART B PERMIT APPLICATION ARE: - F-4B HAZARDOUS WASTE LANDFILL - RETENTION POND - EMERGENCY STORAGE POND - INJECTION WELLS (3 NEUTRAL, 1 ACID) * THE SWMU ARE: - F-8 SOLID WASTE LANDFILL - F-8 DEWATERING AREA (EXTENTION OF LANDFILL F-8) - WASTE WATER TREATMENT IMPOUNDMENTS * CLEANESE'S WASTE PROCESS MANAGES K009 AND K010 IN THEIR DIRTY DITCHES AND DIRTY WATER SKIMMER. THESE TWO UNITS GEN- ERATE A SLUDGE TO BE DISPOSED. * ON AUGUST 20, 1984, TDWR CLASSIFIED THE SLUDGE FROM THE TWO UNITS AS A HAZ WASTE. * ON SEPT 18, 1984, TDWR DIST OFFICE SENT A MEMO TO CELANESE INFORMING THE CO OF THE WASTE DETERMINATION AND INSTRUCTING THEM TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE INTERIM STATUS REGULATIONS AS WELL AS TO AMEND THE PART B PERMIT APPLICA- TION APPROPRIATELY. * CELANESE DISPOSES THE SLUDGE FROM THE DIRTY DITCHES AND DIRTY WATER KIMMER IN LANDFILL 4-8. THE DIRTY DITCHES AND LANDFILL F-8 ARE NOT ON THE FACILITY'S PART B PERMIT APPLI- CATION, NOR ARE THEY CERTIFIED FOR FINANCIAL AND GROUND- WATER COMPLIANCE. * CELANESE'S OPERATING RECORDS SHOWED HAZARDOUS WASTE SLUDGE IN THE DIRTY DITCHES AND DIRTY WATER SKIMMER WAS ADDED TO LANDFILL F-8 AFTER NOV 8, 1985. * CONCLUSION: 1. LANDFILL F-8 AND DIRTY DITCHES ARE ON PART A, NOT ON THE PART B, NOT CERTIFIED, AND ARE CONTINUING TO OPER- ATE AFTER LOSING INTERIM STATUS. REQUEST: RECOMMEND THE AO BE SIGNED AND ISSUED TO CELANESE FOR CONTINUING TO OPERATE AFTER LOSING INTERIM STATUS.

Defendants (1)

• CELANESE CHEMICALNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• CELANESE BAY CITY PLANT

  HIGHWAY 3057 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BAY CITY, BAY CITY, TX, 77414

  Registry ID: 110000728062

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3008A — Compliance Order: Injunctive & Penalty

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CELANESE CHEMICAL

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $25,075

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 1988-02-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1988-02-01Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1989-10-08Enforcement Action Closed