Valero Petroleum Refinery Settlement
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2005) -The U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced comprehensive Clean Air Act settlements with petroleum refinery Valero that are expected to reduce harmful air emissions by more than 20,000 tons per year from 14 refineries in six states.
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Geography: Fourteen refineries affected
Benicia, Calif.
Martinez, Calif. (Tesoro Golden Eagle)
Wilmington, Calif.
Denver, Colo.
Krotz Springs, La.
St. Charles Parish, La.
Paulsboro, N.J.
Ardmore, Okla.
Corpus Christi (East), Texas
Corpus Christi (West), Texas
Houston, Texas
Sunray, Texas
Texas City, Texas
Three Rivers, Texas
Industry Capacity:
More than 1.5 million barrels of oil per day
10 percent of industry capacity
Second largest refiner to settle under EPA's Petroleum Refinery Initiative
Emissions Reductions:
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduced by more than 4,000 tons per year
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) reduced by more than 16,000 tons per yearParticulate matter (PM) reduced by more than 526 tons per year
Injunctive Relief:
More than $700 million will be spent on injunctive relief through 2012
Guaranteed NOx and SO2 emission reductions at each refinery
Commitment to reduce the number and severity of major flaring events at all facilities
Commitment to implement enhanced procedures to reduce benzene emissions and volatile organic compound leaks from valves and other equipment at all facilities
Penalty: $5.5 million (includes $2.1 million to be paid to participating states)
Supplemental Environmental Projects: Valued at $5.5 million, including $3 million to be used for community-based environmental projects in each of the six states where Valero refineries are located.
State Partners: Colorado, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas
For additional information, contact:
Patrick W. Foley
Senior Environmental Engineer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2242A)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20460-0001
(202) 564-7978
foley.patrick@epa.gov