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Carville, La., Plant Agrees to Address Clean Air Act Violations

Release Date: 01/06/2014
Contact Information: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, 214 665-2200 or [email protected]

DALLAS – (Jan. 6, 2014) The Cos-Mar Company of Carville, La. has agreed to correct violations of the Clean Air Act. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will take a number of steps to better protect the health of the local community, reduce emissions, and come into full compliance with federal clean air laws.

The company will develop a flare monitoring plan, repair flaring devices, implement leak detection and repair program (LDAR), and ensure that adequate monitoring and recordkeeping protocols are in place. The company will also pay an $84,050 civil penalty.

LDAR is a work practice designed to identify leaking equipment so that emissions can be reduced through repairs. EPA estimates that the LDAR program can potentially reduce product losses, increase worker safety, and decrease community exposure to hazardous releases.

The facility is owned by the Cos-Mar Company, headquartered in Houston, and operated by Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA, Inc.

The consent agreement addresses a number of violations that occurred on July 2, 2010, March 12, 2009, Oct. 13, 2011, and June 22, 2010.

The agreement was signed on Dec. 10, 2013, and the penalty must be paid within 30 days of agreement. The facility has one year from date of agreement to complete the projects and submit a work plan to EPA.

EPA's goals include focusing on improving compliance among industries with significant potential for environmental harm due to air emissions located near communities.

More about activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html