EPA v. Apache Nitrogen Products

Case summary

Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded a federal judicial Consent Decree with Apache Nitrogen Products Inc (ANPI) of Arizona for ANPI's violations of the Arizona (AZ) State Implementation Plan (SIP) air quality regulations and of the Clean Air Act (CAA) standards of performance for new sources of air pollution at its nitric acid plant in Cochise County, Arizona. Under the Consent Decree, ANPI paid a civil penalty of $600,000 and must perform a computer simulated air flow study for the nitric acid production unit to determine the feasibility of control technologies to prevent nitrogen oxide emissions. Upon completion of the study, ANPI will install Best Available Control Technology (BACT) under the direction of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). EPA/DOJ enforcement team consulted with ADEQ regarding ADEQ's role in ensuring ANPI's compliance with the Consent Decree requirements.

Defendants (1)

• Apache Nitrogen ProductsNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• APACHE NITROGEN PRODUCTS INC

  1436 S APACHE POWDER RD, SAINT DAVID, AZ, 85630

  Registry ID: 110017427033

• APACHE NITROGEN PRODUCTS INC

  1436 S APACHE POWDER RD, SAINT DAVID, AZ, 85630

  Registry ID: 110017427033

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
• CAA 165 — Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Apache Nitrogenentered 2018-03-27

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $600,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 2012-09-28Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2012-09-28Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2017-12-20Complaint Filed With Court
• 2017-12-20Final Order Lodged
• 2018-03-27Final Order Entered
• 2022-01-12Enforcement Action Closed
• 2022-01-12Air Resolved