EPA v. SHELL OIL COMPANY

Case summary

SHELL OWNS AND OPERATES A CRUDE OIL REFINERY AT ITS WILMINGTON MANUFACTURING PLANT IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA. THE COMPLEX INCLUDES A SULFUR RECOVERY PLANT WHICH CONTAINS TWO CLAUS UNITS, A SCOT UNIT AND TWO INCINERATORS, ALL OF WHICH SERVE TO RECOVER SULFUR FROM THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE PRODUCED BY THE REFINERY. PURSUANT TO A CALIFORNIA STATE REGULATION, SHELL IS REQUIRED TO TAKE ITS SCOT UNIT OFF-LINE FOR A MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY INSPECTION EVERY THREE YEARS. SUCH AN INSPECTION IS DUE BY APRIL 1988. UNLESS SHELL SHUTS DOWN ITS ENTIRE REFINERY, TAKING THE SCOT UNIT OFF-LINE WILL CAUSE A VIOLATION OF THE NEW SOURCE PERFORMANCE STAND- ARDS ( NSPS ) FOR PETROLEUM REFINERIES UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ACT.

Defendants (1)

• SHELL OIL COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (3)

• EQUILON CARSON TERMINAL

  20945 S. WILMINGTON AVE., CARSON, CA, 90745

  Registry ID: 110000476164

• EQUILON CARSON TERMINAL

  20945 S. WILMINGTON AVE., CARSON, CA, 90745

  Registry ID: 110000476164

• EQUILON CARSON TERMINAL

  20945 S. WILMINGTON AVE., CARSON, CA, 90745

  Registry ID: 110000476164

Statutes cited

• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SHELL OIL COMPANYentered 1989-01-06

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $66,900

Timeline (9 milestones)

• 1988-03-31Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1988-06-14Returned To Region
• 1988-07-01Rereferred
• 1988-08-11Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1988-08-16Complaint Filed With Court
• 1989-01-06Final Order Lodged
• 1989-01-06Final Order Entered
• 1989-01-06Concluded
• 1993-01-06Enforcement Action Closed