EPA v. SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY

Case summary

1. SECTION 113 OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT ( CAA ), 42 U.S.C. SEC- TION 7413. 2. SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY SHELL DEER PARK MANUFACTURING COMPLEX 5900 HIGHWAY 225 DEER PARK, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS 77536 3. RESPONDENT WAS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 112(R)(1) OF THE CAA BY (1) FAILURE TO IDENTIFY HAZARDS WHICH MAY RESULT FROM RELEASES OF FLAMMABLE GASES USING APPROPRIATE HAZARD ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES, AND (2) FAILURE TO DESIGN AND MAINTAIN A SAFE FACILITY TAKING STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RELEASES. 4. RELIEF SOUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTION 113 OF THE CAA, EPA RE- FERS THIS DIRECT REFERRAL REQUESTING DOJ TO INITIATE A CIVIL ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY. THIS IS A REFERRAL FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND CIVIL PENAL- TIES AGAINST THE DEFENDANT. 5. THIS IS THE FIRST REFERRAL TO BE MADE BY REGION 6 UNDER THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE OF SECTION 112(R)(1), THE PUR- POSE OF WHICH IS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL RELEASES OF HAZ- ARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND MINIMIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY SUCH RELEASES.

Defendants (1)

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (15)

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANY DEER PARK

  5900 HWY. 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

Statutes cited

• CAA 112R — General Duty/Accidental Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SHELL CHEMICAL COMPANYentered 2001-10-15

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $350,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1998-06-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1998-07-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2001-10-15Complaint Filed With Court
• 2001-10-15Concluded
• 2001-10-15Final Order Lodged
• 2001-10-15Final Order Entered
• 2001-11-06Enforcement Action Closed