PSM and RMP Citations/Analysis

Respondent owned and operated a chemical manufacturing facility that manufactures nitrogenous fertilizer. The facility processes natural gas to produce anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is the only regulated substance present at the facility and is used in the following processes or areas of the process: ammonia manufacturing, ammonia storage and loading, nitric acid (56%) manufacturing, nitdc…...

Respondent owned and operated an oil refinery which operates a variety of processes to produce petroleum products (e.g., propane, butane, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, furnace oil, etc.) from raw crude oil. On August 11-14, 2014, EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility focused on compliance with CAA§ 112(r) and 40 C.F.R. Part 68. The regulated…...

Respondent’s facility is a poultry processing facility and uses 145,000 pounds of ammonia (anhydrous) as part of its covered process. On March 26, 2016, at approximately 8:05.p.m., the refrigeration staff received an odor complaint. Upon inspection, they discovered a pressure release valve (PRV) released prematurely on the marination tanks located on the roof. The staff…...

EPA found that Respondent had violated regulations implementing Section 112(r) of the Act at 40 C.F.R. Part 68 by failing to comply with the regulations as noted on the enclosed Risk Management Plan Inspection Findings and Alleged Violations Summary, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In consideration of Respondent’s size of business, its full compliance…...

Respondent operates a beverage production plant with the capacity to produce energy drinks, teas and beer. The production plant uses 160,300 pounds of anhydrous ammonia in its refrigeration system to provide cooling capabilities for its beverage products. On August 22, 2013, the EPA conducted an onsite inspection of Respondent’s RMProgram related records and equipment for…...

Respondent owns and operates an ammonia refrigeration process, which is an RMProgram level 3 regulated process that stores or otherwise uses 95,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia for cooling and freezing capabilities for its waffle products. On August 20, 2013, EPA conducted an on-site inspection of the RMProgram related records and equipment for the purpose of…...

Respondent operates a facility that transports and stores anhydrous ammonia and at its stationary source, the Respondent has one RMProgram level 3 covered process, which stores or otherwise uses ammonia in an amount exceeding its applicable threshold of 10,000 pounds. On August 13, 2014, the EPA conducted an onsite inspection of the RMProgram related records…...

Respondent owns and operates a food oil products manufacturing and distribution facility which is engaged in packaging margarine, liquid oil and shortenings. Respondent operates a closed loop refrigeration system which utilizes or utilized anhydrous ammonia at the Facility. Respondent uses and stores 13,800 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia in the refrigeration system. The Facility is subject…...

Respondent owns an ice production operation and two refrigerated warehousing storage operations which consist of two separate ammonia closed-loop refrigeration system processes. Both processes have refrigerated and frozen storage space using industry standard mechanical refrigeration designs including multiple cooling coils (evaporators), heat rejection towers (condensers), rotary screw compressors, and ammonia service pressure vessels. At the single…...

On November 1, 2016 through November 4, 2016, representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX conducted an inspection of a refinery to determine compliance with the Risk Management Program (RMP). The preliminary findings of the inspection and additional information request were sent to the refinery and several agencies on March 27, 2017…....

Violation Summary   Serious Willful Repeat Other Unclass Total Initial Violations 15         15 Current Violations 15         15 Initial Penalty $128,562         $128,562 Current Penalty $75,000         $75,000   Violation Items # ID Type Standard Curr$ Init$ LastEvent 1. 01001 Serious 1910.119(d)Process…...

Respondent owns and operates a facility that produces, processes, handles, and/or stores a regulated extremely hazardous substance, anhydrous ammonia. The facility uses anhydrous ammonia in a closed-circuit refrigeration system to produce and store ice. Though the ice maker process runs continually, employees are not normally present at the facility outside of business hours. On March…...