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CHEVRON TO PAY $800,000 TO SETTLE AIR POLLUTION VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 2/15/2001
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, U.S. EPA, 415/744-1588

     SAN FRANCISCO--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that Chevron U.S.A. Inc. has agreed to pay penalties and to complete an environmental project totaling $800,000 for allegedly violating the federal Clean Air Act at three of its facilities in Hawaii.

     The complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for Hawaii, alleges that Chevron failed to install air pollution controls and limit emissions at its Hilo and Kahului bulk gasoline terminals, and failed to inspect and file reports on equipment leaks and wastewater systems at its Kapolei petroleum refinery.  

     Under the agreement, Chevron will pay a $650,000 penalty and spend at least $150,000 toward converting all of the loading racks from top to bottom at its Port Allen bulk gasoline terminal on Kauai, which will significantly reduce air pollution emissions.

     Chevron has installed air pollution controls to limit emissions at its Hilo terminal, will begin installing air pollution controls at its Kahului terminal, and has started an inspection program at its Kapolei refinery.    

     "This settlement will result in improvements at the facility that will eliminate 230 tons of volatile organic compounds per year," said Deborah Jordan, acting deputy director of the EPA's air division for the Pacific Southwest region.  "This translates into a safer, cleaner facility for Chevron employees and the surrounding community."

     The Clean Air Act regulates volatile organic compounds because they directly contribute to smog, which aggravates respiratory diseases such as asthma, particularly in the young and elderly.  

     Today's settlement agreement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.