EPA v. Colonial Oil

Case summary

This case involves the use by Colonial Oil Industries ( Colonial ) of 151,298 invalid Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to meet its renewable volume obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS), promulgated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The (RFS) program requires producers or importers of renewable fuel to generate fuel credits, known as RINs, in proportion to the amount and type of renewable fuel they produced or imported. The RFS Program also requires that non-renewable fuel refiners and importers, known as obligated parties, and renewable fuel exporters obtain valid RINs and retire those RINs each year by submitting them to the EPA. Congress adopted the RFS Program to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, help grow the nation's renewable energy industry and achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The EPA is charged with developing the RFS program and enforcing its requirements. As part of the settlement with EPA, Colonial paid a $15,130 civil penalty. In addition, Colonial removed the invalid RINs from its 2010 RFS annual compliance report and resubmitted the reports to EPA. For more information, see the RFS webpage at http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/renewable-fuels/fuel-novs.html.

Defendants (1)

• Colonial Oil IndustriesNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• COLONIAL OIL INDUSTRIES, INC.

  3 RIVERWAY, SUITE 2000, HOUSTON, TX, 77056

  Registry ID: 110028118980

Statutes cited

• CAA 211 — Regulation of Fuels - Motor Vehicle and Engine Fuels

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Colonial Oilentered 2012-04-18

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $15,130

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2012-04-18Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2012-04-18Final Order Issued
• 2012-05-24Enforcement Action Closed
• 2012-09-19Enforcement Action Data Entered