EPA v. HollyFrontier Sinclair Navajo-Artesia,NM Refinery-Air Toxics Consent Decree-FY2025

Case summary

In 2019, EPA began investigating the causes of high fenceline concentrations of benzene at the Sinclair Navajo petroleum refinery in Artesia, New Mexico. The reports submitted by Navajo showed that the Artesia Refinery had a very high average annual fenceline benzene concentration. EPAs investigation led to Navajos removal of the main source of the high benzene levels, but also revealed that Navajo had failed to undertake appropriate corrective actions, as required by CAA regulations for the control of hazardous air pollutants at petroleum refineries, per 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart CC. EPA has also determined that Navajo has violated new source performance standards located at 40 CFR Part 60, Subparts A, Ja, and QQQ, and additional provisions of 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart CC related to flares and emission controls for storage vessels.

Defendants (1)

• HollyFrontier Navajo Refining LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• HF SINCLAIR NAVAJO REFINING LLC (ARTESIA)

  501 EAST MAIN STREET, ARTESIA, NM, 88210

  Registry ID: 110000472630

• HF SINCLAIR NAVAJO REFINING LLC (ARTESIA)

  501 EAST MAIN STREET, ARTESIA, NM, 88210

  Registry ID: 110000472630

Statutes cited

• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards
• CAA PART63 — MACT Standards (40 CFR Part 63)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• HollyFrontier Sinclair Navajo-Artesia,NM Refinery-Air Toxics Consent Decree-FY2025entered 2025-05-27

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $16,958,225 · State/local: $16,958,225

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 2021-03-05Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2021-03-05Referred To Headquarters
• 2021-03-05PRN Sent
• 2021-04-14Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-01-17Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 2025-01-17Complaint Filed With Court
• 2025-01-17Final Order Lodged
• 2025-05-27Final Order Entered