EPA v. Puget Sound Refinery

Case summary

On December 30, 2020, Region 10 entered a consent agreement and final order with Equilon Enterprises LLC, dba Shell Oil Products, US for violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes, Washington. Region 10 alleges Shell violated the risk management provisions of Section 112(r)(7) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412(r)(7), and the Risk Management Program regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 68. These provisions are aimed at preventing accidental releases of chemicals that can have serious consequences for public health, safety, and the environment. The most serious allegations involves Shell?s failure to follow its written operating procedures when shutting down a flare, which resulted in an un-combusted vapor release that impacted more than 500 people in the neighboring communities. Under the terms of the agreement, Equilon Enterprises LLC, dba Shell Oil Products, the company paid a penalty of $191,514.

Defendants (1)

• Puget Sound RefineryNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SHELL OPUS PUGET SOUND REFINERY

  8505 S TEXAS RD, ANACORTES, WA, 98221

  Registry ID: 110008214360

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][7] — Prevention of Accidental Release/Risk Management Plans (RMPs)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Puget Sound Refineryentered 2020-12-30

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $191,514

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2020-11-23Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2020-12-30Final Order Issued
• 2020-12-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order