Three refiners sign consent decree covering nine plants

By the OGJ Online Staff

WASHINGTON, DC, Mar. 21�The US Department of Justice said Wednesday it has reached agreements with three refiners that will reduce air emissions from nine refineries by more than 60,000 tons/year.

The agreements with Motiva Enterprises LLC, Equilon Enterprises LLC, and Deer Park Refining LP will affect refineries in Delaware, Louisiana, Texas, California, and Washington.

Justice said the settlements were part of its effort to reduce harmful air pollution that it said the refineries had released illegally.

Consent decrees filed in US District Court in Houston call for the companies to spend about $400 million to install pollution control equipment and significantly reduce emissions from process units, wastewater vents, leaking valves, and flares throughout the refineries.

The agreements also resolve alleged violations of federal and state hazardous waste and toxic emissions laws at Motiva�s 225,000-b/cd Convent, La., and 245,000-b/cd Port Arthur, Tex., refineries, and Deer Park Refining�s 274,900-b/cd Deer Park, Tex., plant.

The companies also will collectively pay a $9.5 million civil penalty under the Clean Air Act and spend about $5.5 million on environmental projects in communities affected by the refineries� pollution.

The states of Delaware and Louisiana and the Northwest Air Pollution Authority, a regional agency in Washington state, joined Justice in the settlements and will share in the penalties.

The three companies have formed an alliance to operate the nine refineries, which total 1.4 million b/d of capacity. The settlements will not reduce the capacity of the plants.

Justice said the agreements will reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions from the nine plants by more than 60,000 tons/year �by using innovative technologies.�

It said, �Improved leak detection and repair practices and other pollution-control upgrades will significantly reduce emissions of smog-causing volatile organic compounds and benzene, a known carcinogen. The agreements also will benefit workers and local communities by including improved safety measures to reduce the risk of accidental release of pollutants.�

Justice said many refineries have made major modifications to increase capacity without installing the pollution control equipment required by law.

Other refineries covered by the settlement are Motiva�s 152,000-b/cd Delaware City, Del., and 220,000-b/cd Norco, La., plants.

Also included are Equilon�s 61,750-b/cd Bakersfield, 98,500-b/cd Los Angeles and 154,800-b/cd Martininez refineries in California and its 145,200-b/cd Anacortes, Wash., plant.