EPA v. Cabot Corporation-TX LA-CAA Consent Decree (R6 Lead)-2014

Case summary

On March 11, 2014, a consent decree was entered between the United States, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), and Cabot Corporation. Cabot Corporation, the second largest carbon black manufacturer in the United States, has agreed to pay a $975,000 civil penalty and spend an estimated $84 million on state of the art technology to control harmful air pollution, resolving alleged violations of the New Source Review (NSR) provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its three facilities in the towns of Franklin and Ville Platte, La. and Pampa, Texas. For each facility, the settlement requires that Cabot optimize existing controls for particulate matter or soot, operate an early warning detection system that will alert facility operators to any particulate matter releases, and comply with a plan to control fugitive emissions which result from leaks or unintended releases of gases. To address nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution, Cabot must install selective catalytic reduction technology to significantly reduce emissions, install continuous monitoring, and comply with stringent limits. At the two larger facilities in Louisiana, Cabot must address sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution by installing wet gas scrubbers to control emissions, install continuous monitoring, and comply with stringent emissions limits. In addition, the Texas facility is required to comply with a limit on the amount of sulfur in feedstock which is the lowest for any carbon black plant in the United States. These measures are expected to reduce NOx emissions by approximately 1,975 tons per year, SO2 emissions by approximately 12,380 tons per year, and significantly improve existing particulate matter controls.

Defendants (1)

• Cabot CorporationNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (3)

• CABOT CORPORATION - CANAL PLANT

  272 CABOT CANAL PLANT LN @ HWY 317 S, CENTERVILLE, LA, 70522

  Registry ID: 110012818442

• CABOT PAMPA PLANT

  11561 US HWY 60, PAMPA, TX, 79065

  Registry ID: 110000599987

• CABOT CORPORATION - VILLE PLATTE PLANT

  2066 CABOT RD, VILLE PLATTE, LA, 70586

  Registry ID: 110000494885

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
• CAA 502 — Operating Permits (Title V)
• CAA 165 — Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

Enforcement conclusions (3)

• Cabot Corporation-TX LA-CAA Consent Decree (R6 Lead)-1st Amendentered 2017-05-05

  Primary law: CAA

• Cabot Corporation-TX LA-CAA Consent Decree (R6 Lead)-2nd Amendentered 2018-06-11

  Primary law: CAA

• Cabot Corporation-TX LA-CAA Consent Decree (R6 Lead)-2014entered 2014-03-11

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $682,500 · State/local: $292,500

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2011-07-11Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2011-07-14Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2013-11-19Complaint Filed With Court
• 2017-12-22Final Order Lodged
• 2018-06-11Final Order Entered