9/23/05 - SHELL CHEMICAL LP OPERATES A PETROLEUM REFINERY IN SARALAND, AL. FACILITY WAS INSPECTED BY R4 IN MAY 2003. SHELL CHEMICAL WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PETROLEUM REFINERY INITIATIVE BUT TO DATE HAS NOT EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST. THE VIOLATIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS REFERRAL WERE IDENTIFIED DURING A CAA COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED ON MAY 19-22, 2003, BY EPA REGION 4, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER (NEIC). SHELL PURCHASED THE REFINERY IN AUGUST 1996 FROM LOUISIANA LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY. THE REFINERY HAS THE CRUDE CAPACITY OF 100,000 BARRELS PER DAY. THE MAIN PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY SHELL INCLUDE HEAVY OLEFIN FEE, GASOLENE, KEROSENE (JET FUEL), DIESEL AND OIL BLEND STOCK. THE SHELL FACILITY IS LOCATED IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREA.
BASED ON EPA'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SHELL REFINERY, EPA HAS DETERMINED THAT SHELL VIOLATED SECTIONS 111 AND 112 OF THE CAA. THE ACTION WOULD SEEK RELIEF IN THE FORM OF CIVIL PENALTIES FOR CAA VIOLATIONS AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.
SETTLEMENT INFO: SHELL CHEMICAL LP HAS AGREED TO INSTALL POLLUTION REDUCTION EQUIPMENT ON TWO PETROLEUM REFINING FACILITIES AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $6 MILLION AS PART OF TWO COMPREHENSIVE CAA SETTLEMENTS. The two companies will also pay a combined $3.3 million civil penalty to the United States as well as Alabama and Louisiana and $200,000 to Louisiana organizations for environmental education and emergency operations. Under the settlements, Shell Chemic