EPA v. Total Petrochemical & Refining

Case summary

This case involves the use by TOTAL Petrochemicals & Refining USA,Inc., ( TOTAL ) of 181818 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, TOTAL paid a $18,182 civil penalty. In addition, TOTAL removed the invalid RINs from its applicable RFS annual compliance reports and resubmitted the reports to EPA. For more information, see the RFS webpage at http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/civil-enforcement-renewable-fuel-standard-program

Defendants (1)

• TOTAL Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS & REFINING USA

  1201 LOUISIANA STREET, SUITE 1800, HOUSTON, TX, 77002

  Registry ID: 110043787426

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Total Petrochemical & Refiningentered 2015-11-18

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $18,182

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2015-11-18Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2015-11-18Final Order Issued
• 2015-12-03Enforcement Action Closed
• 2016-03-31Enforcement Action Data Entered