EPA v. Enterprise TE Products Pipeline

Case summary

This case involves the use by Enterprise TE Products Pipeline Company, LLC (TE Products) of 4,398 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, TE Products paid a $440 civil penalty. In addition, TE Products 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)

• Enterprise TE Products Pipeline Company, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ENTERPRISE TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE

  1100 LOUISIANA STREET, HOUSTON, TX, 77002

  Registry ID: 110054084959

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Enterprise TE Products Pipelineentered 2012-04-18

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $440

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2012-04-18Final Order Issued
• 2012-04-18Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2012-05-24Enforcement Action Closed
• 2012-09-20Enforcement Action Data Entered