EPA v. Shell Oil Deer Park-Flaring Consent Decree (National Case)(HQ)

Case summary

The Shell Deer Park (SDP) complex includes both a olefins chemical plant and petroleum refinery. This case involves Shell's noncompliance with the various Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations (Benzene NESHAP 40 CFR 61, Hazardous Organic NESHAP 40 CFR 63, Refinery NSPS 40 CFR 60), and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) SIP rules. The compliance review started with an on-site inspection in July 2008 and CAA 114 Information Request in August 2008. The Consent Decree was entered on June 6,2014. The Consent Decree (CD) requires SDP to: (1)Pay a $2,600,000 penalty; (2)Install a Flare Gas Recovery System at the chemical plant and conduct other waste gas minimization projects at both the chemical plant and refinery, at an estimated total cost of $90,000,000; (3)Perform three Mitigation Projects, valued at between $15 and $60 million, related to controlling: Wastewater Treatment Emissions ('North Effluent Treater Controls', NET), Emissions from Tanks ('Tank Controls'), Fugitive Emissions ('ACU and BEU Controls);and (4)Conduct two Supplemental Environmental Projects valued at $1,200,000, which involve: Fence line Monitoring of Ambient Air ('Fence Line Open Path Monitoring SEP', $1 million) retrofit of School Buses ('Diesel Retrofit SEP', $200,000).

Defendants (4)

• Shell Deer Park Complex
• Shell Chemical LPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Deer Park Refining LPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Shell Oil CompanyNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (15)

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

• SHELL CHEMICAL

  5900 HIGHWAY 225, DEER PARK, TX, 77536

  Registry ID: 110031267064

Statutes cited

• CAA 165 — Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
• CAA 112D — MACT Standards
• CAA 502 — Operating Permits (Title V)
• CAA 173 — New Source Review Permit Requirements
• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards
• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Shell Oil Deer Park-Flaring Consent Decree (National Case)entered 2014-06-06

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $2,600,000 · SEP: $1,200,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 2009-02-18Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2009-02-24Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2013-07-10Complaint Filed With Court
• 2013-07-10Final Order Lodged
• 2014-06-06Final Order Entered
• 2017-05-25Demand for Stipulated Penalties
• 2017-10-24Enforcement Action Closed
• 2017-10-24Air Resolved