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EPA FINES CALNEV $204,396 FOR AIR POLLUTION VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 4/18/2002
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, Press Office, 415/947-4248, [email protected]

     SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined the Calnev Pipe Line Company $204,396 for numerous Clean Air Act violations at its bulk gasoline terminal in Las Vegas.

     Calnev increased the size of its piping and pumps to boost the flow of gas processed at its terminal on North Sloan Lane without first getting a permit that would have required the company to install controls on the new equipment.  The additional gas flow increased the amount of volatile organic compounds being released into the air.  

     The permit would have also required the facility to obtain 145 tons of emissions offsets.  The offsets are required to be real, quantifiable, permanent reductions in emissions obtained from other sources or from Calnev's own terminal.  

     Calnev also failed to test each tank truck for vapor leaks and failed to perform monthly inspections on the vapor collection and processing systems.

     "This settlement results in improvements at the facility that will eliminate 85 tons of volatile organic compounds per year," said Jack Broadbent, the EPA's Air Division director for the Pacific Southwest office.  "The EPA and Clark County worked closely together to reach a settlement with CalNev that will bring cleaner air to Las Vegas residents."

     The EPA issued an order to Calnev in November 2000 requiring the facility to apply for a permit from Clark County and install a unit that recovers emissions from the gasoline loading racks instead of flaring it.  Calnev installed the units in December 2001.

     Clark County issued the permit in May 2001 requiring Calnev to install secondary seals on the storage tanks at the facility and obtain emission offsets.
 
     The Calnev facility stores and reformulate gas that it receives from a pipeline.  Storage tank VOC emissions are controlled by the type of roof installed on each tank. Loading rack emissions are controlled by vapor recovery units using carbon absorption or a flare to incinerate gas vapors.

     Petroleum products emit VOCs, which are a major contributor to ozone, or smog.