EPA v. Columbian Chemical Company (Birla)-CAA Consent Decree (National Case)(HQ Lead)-2018

Case summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today a settlement resolving Clean Air Act claims by the United States and the states of Kansas and Louisiana against carbon black manufacturer Columbian Chemicals Company. Under the settlement, the company has agreed to install and operate state-of-the-art pollution control technologies to reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants. In addition to the controls, estimated to cost $94 million, Columbian will pay civil penalties of $650,000 and perform environmental mitigation projects valued at $375,000. This settlement resolves claims, asserted in a complaint filed today in federal court, that Columbian failed to obtain permits and install appropriate emissions reduction technology at its two carbon black production facilities located in Hickock, Kansas and North Bend, Louisiana, as required under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration provisions of the Clean Air Act.

Defendants (1)

• Columbian Chemical CompanyNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• BIRLA CARBON USA INC - NORTH BEND PLANT

  370 COLUMBIAN CHEMICALS LN, CENTERVILLE, LA, 70522

  Registry ID: 110000449337

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
• CAA TITLE5 — Title V Permits
• CAA 502 — Operating Permits (Title V)
• CAA 165 — Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Columbian Chemical Company (Birla)-CAA Consent Decree (National Case)(HQ Lead)-2018entered 2018-06-11

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $130,000 · State/local: $195,000

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 2015-04-21Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2015-04-21Referred To Headquarters
• 2015-06-17Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2017-12-22Final Order Lodged
• 2017-12-22Complaint Filed With Court
• 2018-06-11Final Order Entered