EPA v. Buckeye Pipe Line Company

Case summary

This case involves the use by Buckeye Pipe Line Company LP, ( BPLC ) of 58,126 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, BPLC paid a $5,813 civil penalty. In addition, BPLC removed the invalid RINs from all applicable RFS2 annual compliance reports, replaced the invalid RINs that were needed to meet its RVO, and resubmitted corrected reports to EPA. For more information, see the RFS webpage at http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/civil-enforcement-renewable-fuel-standard-program.

Defendants (1)

• Buckeye Pipe Line Company LP,Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• BUCKEYE PIPE LINE

  5 TEK PARK, 9999 HAMILTON, BREINIGSVILLE, PA, 18049

  Registry ID: 110060351426

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Buckeye Pipe Line Companyentered 2014-06-17

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $5,813

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2014-06-17Final Order Issued
• 2014-06-17Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-07-02Enforcement Action Closed
• 2014-08-11Enforcement Action Data Entered