EPA v. Chevron (National Case) (Lead)

Case summary

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced a national settlement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron) that resolves claims that the company violated provisions of the Clean Air Act aimed at preventing accidental releases of hazardous chemicals that can have serious consequences for public health and the environment. Chevron will spend approximately $150 million to replace vulnerable pipes, institute operating parameters and alarms for safer operation, improve corrosion inspections and training, centralize safety authority within the corporation, conduct a pilot study of safety controls for fired heaters, and make other safety improvements at all its domestic refineries. Chevron also will pay a $2.95 million civil penalty and will implement supplemental environmental projects worth at least $10 million to supply emergency response equipment in the communities surrounding the refineries in California, Mississippi, Utah, and Hawaii.

Defendants (1)

• ChevronNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (5)

• CHEVRON REFINERY RICHMOND

  841 CHEVRON WAY, RICHMOND, CA, 94801

  Registry ID: 110020506460

• CHEVRON EL SEGUNDO REFINERY

  324 W EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245

  Registry ID: 110002899908

• IES DOWNSTREAM, LLC - KAPOLEI REFINERY MM

  91-480 MALAKOLE ST, KAPOLEI, HI, 96707

  Registry ID: 110000486304

• IES DOWNSTREAM, LLC - KAPOLEI REFINERY MM

  91-480 MALAKOLE ST, KAPOLEI, HI, 96707

  Registry ID: 110000486304

• IES DOWNSTREAM, LLC - KAPOLEI REFINERY MM

  91-480 MALAKOLE ST, KAPOLEI, HI, 96707

  Registry ID: 110000486304

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][7] — Prevention of Accidental Release/Risk Management Plans (RMPs)
• CERCLA 103A — Notification of Hazardous Reportable Quantity Release
• EPCRA 302 — Substances and Facilities Covered and Notification
• CAA 112[R][1] — Prevention of Accidental Release/General Duty Clause
• EPCRA 303 — Comprehensive Emergency Response Plans
• CAA 112R — General Duty/Accidental Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Chevron (National Case) (Lead)entered 2019-03-07

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $1,930,300 · SEP: $6,395,744

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2016-07-06Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2016-10-12Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2018-10-24Final Order Lodged
• 2018-10-24Complaint Filed With Court
• 2019-03-07Final Order Entered