EPA, Delaware City Refining Company Settle Environmental Violations

PHILADELPHIA (October 1, 2015 ) - The Delaware City Refining Company will pay a $73,113 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental regulations for failing to immediately notify the National Response Center and state and local emergency planning agencies about the release of hazardous substances that exceeded reportable quantities into the environment on 2 separate dates.

Federal regulations require facilities to immediately notify the National Response Center, the state emergency response commission, and the local emergency planning committee of any area likely to be affected by the release as soon as the owner or operator of a facility has knowledge of a release of a hazardous substance in a quantity equal to or above its reportable quantity.

"When manufacturing facilities experience the release of a reportable substance, they must notify emergency responders so nearby communities can be properly protected," said Shawn M. Garvin, E.P.A. Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. "These timely reports are essential to protecting communities from potential health risks and environmental harm."

The Delaware City Refinery allegedly released 14 pounds of benzene into the environment on Sept. 21, 2014. The reportable quantity for benzene is ten pounds. The release was not timely reported to the National Response Center or the required state or local emergency planning agencies.

On Feb. 22, 2015, a ruptured pipe at the facility released 1,3 butadiene and hydrogen sulfide into the environment. The company immediately reported the hydrogen sulfide release. However, an investigation the next day determined that approximately 140 pounds of 1,3 butadiene was also released, which exceeded the 10-pound reportable quantity. The company did not report the 1,3 butadiene until the day after the investigation.

The alleged violations come under 2 federal statutes: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA); and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. EPCRA requires immediate notification of the state and local authorities, and CERCLA requires immediate notification of the National Response Center.

For more information on EPCRA, see http://www.epa.gov/osweroe1/content/epcra/

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