Stone Energy Corporation Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

Press release:

Stone Energy Corporation Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – August 24, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Stone Energy Corporation of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, $7,055 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the federal Clean Water Act.

A January 25, 2012, EPA inspection of its Main Pass 21 oil production facility located in Venice, Louisiana, revealed the facility had failed to conduct inspections in accordance with SPCC regulations. The inspection also found the facility’s SPCC plan did not discuss flowline high pressure devices and well shut-in valves as well as adequate protection of sub-marine piping against environmental stresses.

SPCC regulations require onshore oil production or bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, preparedness and countermeasures to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps protect our nation’s water quality since a spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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Petco Petroleum Corporation Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

Press release:

Petco Petroleum Corporation Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – August 22, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Petco Petroleum Corporation of Hinsdale, Illinois, $3,650 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

A March 31, 2012, EPA inspection of its Jemima Richard oil production facility located on Highway 33 in Drumright, Creek County, Oklahoma, revealed personnel working at the facility had no training on the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges, discharge procedure protocols, or training on applicable pollution control laws, rules and regulations. The inspection also found spill prevention briefings were not scheduled and conducted periodically, visual inspections of containers, foundation and supports were not conducted as required by SPCC regulations and above ground valves and pipelines were not examined on a scheduled basis for general condition.

As part of an Expedited Settlement Agreement with the EPA, the facility has provided certification that all identified deficiencies have been corrected.

SPCC regulations require onshore oil production or bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, preparedness and countermeasures to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps protect our nation’s water quality since a spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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Breck Operating Corporation Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

Press release:

Breck Operating Corporation Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – August 15, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Breck Operating Corporation of Breckenridge, Texas, $2,250 for violating federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations at two of its oil production facilities.

On June 7, 2012, an EPA inspection at the facilities found numerous violations including; inadequate or no description of drainage controls, no information and procedures for reporting a discharge and inadequate discussion of spill prevention procedures. The inspections also revealed the facilities had no facility diagram, no contingency plan and no written commitment of manpower, equipment and materials.

The facilities inspected and fined were:

G.H. Newsom oil production facility, Jack County, Texas, $1,125

J. H. Holden oil production facility, Jack County, Texas, $1,125

As part of an Expedited Settlement Agreement with the EPA, the corporation has provided certification that all identified deficiencies have been corrected.

SPCC regulations require onshore production and bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, control and countermeasures to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps protect our nation’s water quality since a spill of one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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Cox Operating, LLC, Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

Press release:

Cox Operating, LLC, Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – August 10, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has fined Cox Operating, LLC, of New Orleans, Louisiana, $29,400 for violating federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations at two of its oil production facilities in Louisiana.

A January 24, 2012, inspection at the facilities found numerous violations including failure to conduct adequate self-inspections as required by SPCC regulations, failure to provide adequate documentation of SPCC training and failure to provide adequate secondary containment and oil collection equipment.

The oil production facilities inspected and fined were:

Chandler Sound Block 71 Facility, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, $20,300

Eloi Bay Central Facility, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, $9,100

SPCC regulations require onshore production and bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, control and countermeasures to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps protect our nation’s water quality since a spill of one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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Maine Company Faces Penalty for Violations of Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Office         
August  2, 2012

Contact Information: Dave Deegan, (617) 918-1017

Maine Company Faces Penalty for Violations of Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations

(Boston, Mass. – August 2, 2012) A Maine company that provides motor vehicle services and fuel oil sales is facing a fine of up to $177,500 for violations of the Clean Water Act. 

 EPA recently filed a complaint against the J&S Oil Co., Inc. for failing to maintain and fully implement an oil spill prevention plan, which contributed to the release of approximately 1,500 gallons of used motor oil from a tanker truck at the facility.

The oil release in March 2012 prompted an emergency response from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and EPA.  The company also hired an oil spill response company to contain the spilled oil and dispose of contaminated soils. 

EPA determined that the company had failed to fully maintain and implement it Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan, as required by the Clean Water Act. SPCC plans specify spill prevention measures at facilities that store oil above threshold amounts and help ensure that a tank failure or oil spill does not lead to oil reaching bodies of water.  In its complaint EPA alleges that the company failed to provide for adequate secondary containment for some of the facility’s above-ground storage tanks and the tanker trucks parked at the facility; failed to provide secondary containment for the loading/unloading rack; failed to maintain adequate training records of oil-handling personnel in the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges; and, failed to provide adequate security for the facility.

For more information on federal oil spill prevention requirements:

            http://www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/er/oilstor.htm

            http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

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Martin Operating Partnership in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

Press release:

Martin Operating Partnership in Cameron Parish, Louisiana,

Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – August 2, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Martin Operating Partnership in Cameron, Louisiana, $14,400 for violating federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

A February 28, 2012, federal inspection of the partnership’s Cameron 7 Terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, revealed the facility failed to properly manage retained stormwater from inside diked areas and failed to keep the diked area rainwater bypass valve in a closed and sealed position. The inspection also found the terminal’s SPCC plan failed to provide an adequate schedule for tank integrity testing, and the required facility diagram failed to list all oil tankage at the terminal.

SPCC regulations require onshore oil production and bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, control and countermeasures to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps protect our nation’s water quality since a spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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US Liquids of Louisiana, LP, Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

US Liquids of Louisiana, LP, Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – July 17, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has fined US Liquids of Louisiana, LP, of Jennings, Louisiana, $13,552 for violating Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

A federal inspection of the company’s Bateman Island marine terminal in St. Mary Parish revealed the terminal’s SPCC plan failed to provide a prediction of equipment failures that could result in discharges, personnel working at the facility had no training on the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges, and facility inspections had not been conducted.

The company also failed to schedule periodic spill prevention briefings, address secondary containment of truck loading, unloading and transfer areas, and to regularly inspect above-ground valves, piping and joints.

SPCC regulations require onshore production or bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, preparedness and response to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps protect our nation’s water quality since a spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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Columbia N.H. Sand & Gravel Facility Faces Fine for Discharging Polluted Water

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
March 27, 2012

Contacts: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

Columbia N.H. Sand and Gravel Facility Faces Fine for Discharging Polluted Water

(Boston, Mass. – March 27, 2012) – CSG Holdings, Inc. of Columbia, N.H. faces a possible fine of up to $532,500 from EPA for allowing polluted stormwater and process water from its Columbia facility to flow into nearby waters, in violation of the Clean Water Act.  CSG Holdings is the former operator of Columbia Sand and Gravel, a mining facility on the banks of the Connecticut River.

According to allegations in the complaint, CSG Holdings discharged process waste waters and stormwater from the facility without proper permits and violated the federal Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations by failing to prepare and implement a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan. The recent complaint against CSG Holdings states that the violations were discovered by EPA’s New England office in 2010.

Stormwater monitoring by CSG Holdings confirmed that stormwater discharges from its sand and gravel mining and aggregate processing operations contain total suspended solids at levels that exceed permit benchmarks for their industrial sector.  When a facility's stormwater discharges exceed benchmark levels, the facility must review its stormwater control measures to determine if changes are necessary and make these changes as needed.

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of process waste waters without a permit. The law also requires that industrial facilities, such as sand and gravel facilities, have controls in place to minimize pollutants from being discharged with stormwater into nearby waterways. Each site must have a stormwater pollution prevention plan that sets guidelines and best management practices that the company will follow to prevent runoff from being contaminated by pollutants. Without on-site controls, runoff from sand and gravel facilities can flow directly to the nearest waterway and can cause water quality impairments such as siltation of rivers, beach closings, fishing restrictions, and habitat degradation. As stormwater flows over these sites, it can pick up pollutants, including sediment, used oil, and other debris. Polluted process water discharges or stormwater runoff can harm or kill fish and wildlife and can affect drinking water quality.

Every year, thousands of gallons of oil are spilled from oil storage facilities, polluting New England waters. Even the  effects of smaller spills add up and damage aquatic life, as well as public and private property. Spill prevention plans are critical to prevent such spills or, if they do occur, adequately address them.

In May 2011, CSG Holdings sold its Columbia, N.H. facility to another owner/operator. The new owner maintains the facility’s stormwater management system and is authorized to discharge stormwater under a general permit covering discharges from industrial facilities.


More information: Stormwater control for Industrial facilities (http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/indust.cfm)

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Union Pacific to Pay $1.5 Million for Clean Water Act Violations

News release from EPA Region 8:


News release from EPA Region 8:

Union Pacific Railroad Company to pay $1.5 million for Clean Water Act violations in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming

Company cited for oil and coal spills, inadequate prevention and planning
Contact Information: Donna Inman (303) 312-6201; Matthew Allen, (303) 312-6085
(Denver, Colo—February 9th, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a settlement with Union Pacific Railroad Company regarding alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act.

This settlement resolves a Clean Water Act enforcement action against Union Pacific that involves continuing operations at 20 rail yards in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as spills of oil and coal in 2003 and 2004 along railroad lines in all three states.

For the railyards, EPA alleges Union Pacific violated EPA’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) and Facility Response Plan (FRP) regulations. These regulations are the first line of defense for preventing oil spills and providing immediate containment measures when an oil spill does occur.

“Today we have secured a settlement that will help prevent spills, protect water quality, and improve the safety of Union Pacific’s operations in 20 communities across Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming,” said Jim Martin, EPA regional administrator. “Union Pacific has already begun putting necessary measures in place and we will ensure they continue to do so.”

As part of the settlement, Union Pacific will pay a civil penalty of $1.5 million of which approximately $1.4 million will be deposited into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, a fund used by federal agencies to respond to oil spills. The remaining $100,000 will be deposited in the U.S. Treasury for the coal spills and stormwater violations. In addition, the settlement requires the company to develop a management and reporting system to ensure compliance with SPCC regulations, FRP regulations, and storm water requirements at 20 rail yards in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Union Pacific must take further actions to control stormwater runoff at the Burnham Rail Yard in Denver, which are anticipated to prevent the discharge of approximately 2,500 pounds of chemical oxygen demand, 50 pounds of nitrate, 11,000 pounds of total suspended solids, and 30 pounds of zinc annually to waters in the Denver area.

This settlement will benefit many communities in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, many of which are disadvantaged, by requiring Union Pacific to install secondary containment to safely store oil and prevent oil spills from leaving its properties. Further, it will require the company to designate an environmental vice-president responsible for complying with oil spill prevention and stormwater control requirements at the 20 railyards. The majority of the 20 locations cited in the settlement are in disadvantaged areas with significant low-income and/ or minority populations.

The complaint alleges the following violations:

• ·         Six oil spills in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming
• ·         Three coal spills in Colorado
• ·         Inadequate SPCC plans and/or inadequate SPCC plan implementation (e.g., inadequate secondary containment) at the following 20 rail yards:
  • o   Denver 36^th Street, Burnham, Denver North, East Portal Moffatt Tunnel, Grand Junction, Kremmling, Pueblo, and Rifle, all in Colorado
  • o   Helper, Ogden, Provo, Roper, Salt Lake City North, and Summit, all in Utah
    • §  Also for six rail yards in Utah, failure to provide certifications and reports for storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) as required by the Utah Multi-Sector General  Permit.
• o   Bill, Buford, Cheyenne, Green River, Laramie, and Rawlins, all in Wyoming
  • §  Also for the Rawlins, Wyoming rail yard, an inadequate FRP and a failed Government Initiated  Unannounced Exercise

For more information on the Clean Water Act, visit EPA's compliance web page: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/cwa/index.html

For more information on Environmental Justice within EPA Region 8 please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region8/ej/index.html

Help EPA protect our nation's land, air and water by reporting violations: http://www.epa.gov/tips/