EPA v. Williams Olefins LLC-Complaint-Stipulated Penalty Order-FY2019

Case summary

The Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana filed a Complaint and Stipulation in the Matter of Williams Olefins, LLC n/k/a Nova Chemical Olefins, LLC. The Complaint identifies violations of the Clean Air Act Section 112(r), which resulted in a catastrophic incident on June 13, 2013. A subsequent inspection after the incident revealed additional violations of 112(r). The Stipulation resolves the case for a penalty of $750,000. All injunctive relief was identified and corrected prior to the filing of the Stipulation. The stipulated order was filed 07/17/2019, and the court approved the order on 03/24/2021.

Defendants (2)

• Williams Olefins, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• SABIC Americas, IncNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• NOVA CHEMICALS OLEFINS LLC - GEISMAR ETHYLENE PLANT

  5205 HWY 3115, GEISMAR, LA, 70734

  Registry ID: 110000746337

• NOVA CHEMICALS OLEFINS LLC - GEISMAR ETHYLENE PLANT

  5205 HWY 3115, GEISMAR, LA, 70734

  Registry ID: 110000746337

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][1] — Prevention of Accidental Release/General Duty Clause
• CAA 112[R][7] — Prevention of Accidental Release/Risk Management Plans (RMPs)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Williams Olefins LLC-Complaint-Stipulated Penalty Order-FY2019entered 2021-03-24

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $750,000

Timeline (10 milestones)

• 2015-04-08Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2015-04-08Referred To Headquarters
• 2015-06-16Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2019-07-16Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 2019-07-17Complaint Filed With Court
• 2019-07-17Final Order Lodged
• 2021-03-24Final Order Entered
• 2021-03-24Demand for Stipulated Penalties
• 2021-04-14Air Resolved
• 2021-04-14Enforcement Action Closed