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Phillips' Utah refinery pays $350K in CAA settlement

Release Date: 9/14/2000
Contact Information:
EPA 303-312-6892,

Release Date: 9/14/2000
Contact Information:
EPA 303-312-6555,

Release Date: 9/14/2000
Contact Information:
DOJ 303-312-7353

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH--Phillips Petroleum Co. agreed to pay a $350,000 penalty for past Clean Air Act violations at its Woods Cross refinery, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed the settlement in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City on EPA’s behalf. The complaint alleged the Woods Cross refinery violated sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions limits and monitoring rules starting in October 1994.

In 1991, Utah refineries agreed to install and operate equipment to recover most sulfur before it escapes into the air. Additionally, to ensure State permit limits are not surpassed, refineries must install devices that constantly monitor their emissions. In the Phillips case, the alleged violations were due to breakdowns of the refinery’s emissions monitor and numerous SO2 releases – beyond what the permit allows.

SO2 is formed when fuels containing sulfur are burned. Once airborne, the gas turns into small particles that can remain trapped in the air because of the area’s unique weather and land conditions. Those trapped particles add to the smog problems in Salt Lake and Davis counties.

“Sulfur dioxide pollution is dangerous, especially for children, the elderly and those with breathing problems,” said Denver-based EPA Enforcement Director Carol Rushin. “The nation’s Clean Air Act sets emission limits to protect the health and environment of those living near and those downwind of industries that emit pollution into the air.”

After the lawsuit was filed in 1997, the refinery’s compliance performance began to improve, and now it appears to meet the emissions and monitoring requirements that led to EPA’s legal action. Without admitting to any of the allegations, Phillips agreed to pay the penalty and comply with all applicable laws in the future.