EPA v. Celanese Chemical CAFO

Case summary

On June 14, 2016, EPA Region 6 issued a CAFO under its authority pursuant to CAA to Celanese, LTD located Bay City, TX. The CAFO was issued in response to violations of the respondent failing to design and maintain a safe facility and did not taking such necessary steps to prevent accidental releases of vinyl acetate by failing to properly install tubing. Failure to properly install tubing and failure to perform subsequent inspections, which upon failure released vinyl acetate to the ambient air. As provided in the CAFO, Celanese will have thirty (30) days from the effective date of the order to pay the civil penalty of $18,750, and commence performance of a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) costing at least $70,312.50, which is the economic benefit of noncompliance, and the seriousness of the violation.

Defendants (1)

• Celanese Ltd.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• CELANESE BAY CITY PLANT

  2001 FM 3057, BAY CITY, TX, 77414

  Registry ID: 110031389192

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][1] — Prevention of Accidental Release/General Duty Clause

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Celanese Chemical CAFOentered 2016-06-14

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $18,750 · SEP: $70,313

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 2016-06-14Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2016-06-14Final Order Issued
• 2016-06-27Enforcement Action Closed
• 2016-06-27Compliance Achieved
• 2016-06-27Air Resolved
• 2016-08-22Enforcement Action Data Entered