EPA v. PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer, LP

Case summary

On September 20, 2013, a consent decree was entered regarding PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer (PCS) alleged Clean Air Act violations at its phosphoric acid facility located in Geismar, Louisiana. The settlement resolves PCS�s Clean Air Act violations at its cooling tower operations, which use scrubbers to control air emissions from its phosphoric acid processing equipment, and the failure to regularly certify the prevention of effluent being introduced into the cooling tower, as required by the Louisiana SIP and Title V of the CAA. Under the settlement, PCS will prevent the release of 15 million pounds of hydrogen fluoride, a hazardous air pollutant annually and will pay a civil penalty of $198,825.30. PCS has already implemented the pollution controls sought in the settlement.

Defendants (2)

• PCS Nitrogen FertilizerNamed in complaint
• PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer, LPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (8)

• PCS NITROGEN FERTILIZER LP - GEISMAR FACILITY

  5301 HWY 3115, GEISMAR, LA, 70734

  Registry ID: 110000748059

• PCS NITR FERT

  HWY 3115 & 75, GEISMAR, LA, 70734-0000

  Registry ID: 110000748059

• PCS NITROGEN FERTILIZER LP - GEISMAR FACILITY

  5301 HWY 3115, GEISMAR, LA, 70734

  Registry ID: 110000748059

• PCS NITR FERT

  HWY 3115 & 75, GEISMAR, LA, 70734-0000

  Registry ID: 110000748059

• PCS NITROGEN FERTILIZER LP - GEISMAR FACILITY

  5301 HWY 3115, GEISMAR, LA, 70734

  Registry ID: 110000748059

• PCS NITR FERT

  HWY 3115 & 75, GEISMAR, LA, 70734-0000

  Registry ID: 110000748059

• PCS NITR FERT

  HWY 3115 & 75, GEISMAR, LA, 70734-0000

  Registry ID: 110000748059

• PCS NITROGEN FERTILIZER LP - GEISMAR FACILITY

  5301 HWY 3115, GEISMAR, LA, 70734

  Registry ID: 110000748059

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/307 — Effluent Limitations - NPDES Toxic & Pretreatment Effluent Standards
• RCRA 3008A — Compliance Order: Injunctive & Penalty
• CAA 502 — Operating Permits (Title V)
• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• RCRA 3005 — Permits for Treatment, Storage, or Disposal of Hazardous Waste
• CWA 311F — Oil Removal Cost Recovery
• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit
• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants
• RCRA 3004 — Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer, LPentered 2013-09-20

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $99,412 · State/local: $99,412

Timeline (10 milestones)

• 2003-09-29Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2003-10-07Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2006-04-20Supplemental Referral-Adding parties, counts
• 2008-07-31Supplemental Referral-Adding parties, counts
• 2013-05-22Final Order Lodged
• 2013-05-22Complaint Filed With Court
• 2013-09-20Final Order Entered
• 2015-10-19Enforcement Action Closed
• 2015-10-19Concluded
• 2015-10-19Air Resolved