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EPA Cites Motiva for Hazardous Waste and Reporting Violations at Delaware City Refinery

Release Date: 4/18/2000
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

Ruth Podems, 215-814-5540

DELAWARE CITY, De. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Motiva Enterprises LLC and the company’s partners, Texaco Inc., Shell Oil Co. and Saudi Refining Inc., for violating federal environmental laws at Motiva’s Delaware City refinery.

EPA seeks a $94,596 penalty for alleged violations observed during an August 1999 inspection. Inspectors noted that the company was storing leaking or open containers of hazardous refinery waste. Motiva also was not up to date on its annual hazardous waste management training for four employees.

These are violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which governs the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to prevent costly cleanups of waste sites by requiring the safe, environmentally sound disposal of hazardous materials.

In a separate complaint, EPA proposes a $51,700 penalty for alleged violations of the chemical reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). EPCRA’s annual reporting requirements are designed to help the government and the public monitor the production, use and release of toxic chemicals in each community.

Motiva failed to file a timely report for manganese compounds in 1996, under-reported 1996 releases of xylene (162 lbs. reported vs. 5,643 lbs. based on subsequent calculations) and propylene (93 lbs. reported vs. 997 lbs. recalculated), and over-reported 1996 releases of benzene (29,000 lbs. reported vs. 4,101 lbs. recalculated).

The company may request a hearing to contest the alleged violations and the proposed penalties.


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