EPA v. Empire State Oil

Case summary

This Settlement Agreement concerns the Empire State Oil Co - Refinery Site( Site ) in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The Site was formerly used as an oil refinery and encompasses approximately 30 acres, located at 242 Amoretti Street in Thermopolis. The Site operated as an oil refinery from 1920 until 1969. From 1970 to 1974, the Site was inactive and no oil refining operations were conducted. EPA alleges that beginning in 1974, the oil refinery was razed and refinery equipment at the Site was sold and removed from the Site by various entities, including Settling Party.EPA also alleges that on October 31, 1972, the refinery property was deeded to the William H. and Carrie Gottsche Foundation by way of a gift deed. EPA alleges Little America Refining Company ( Little America ) purchased refinery equipment located at the Site on February 22, 1974 from the Gottsche Foundation. EPA further alleges Little America contracted with Salt Creek Welding to conduct removal and demolition activities at the Site between August 1975 and October 1975. EPA alleges that during such activities a significant amount of asbestos contaminated pipe insulation was stripped from the equipment and disposed of on the ground at the Site. EPA conducted a removal assessment at the Site in 2011 including an asbestos survey. Samples were taken and analyzed. The majority of samples were positively identified as containing asbestos in levels that posed a threat to human health and the environment. In performing these response actions, EPA has incurred response costs at or in connection with the Site.

Defendants (2)

• Sinclair Casper RefiningNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Empire State OilNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• EMPIRE STATE OIL REFINERY

  242 AMORETTI STREET, THERMOPOLIS, WY, 82443

  Registry ID: 110005578856

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 122H — Administrative Cost Recovery Settlement

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Empire State Oilentered 2016-11-07

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2016-11-07Final Order Issued
• 2017-01-09Enforcement Action Data Entered