News Releases from Region 03

EPA Settles Chemical Safety Violations with Owner, Operator of Six Natural Gas Processing Plants

PHILADELPHIA (November 19, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its settlement for alleged environmental violations by the owner and operator of five natural gas processing plants in McKean and Warren Counties, Pa. and one in Putnam County, W.Va. All six of the natural gas operations have come into compliance with risk management and chemical safety requirements that will better protect the health and safety of employees, local residents, and the environment.

Under this agreement, Elkhorn Investments, LLC, and Elkhorn Gas Processing, LLC will pay a $50,221 penalty. The alleged violations are under two separate sections of the Clean Air Act -- one requiring effective risk management planning and the other, known as the General Duty Clause, making owners and operators of facilities with regulated hazardous substances responsible for managing chemicals safely.

Specific compliance measures now completed under a September 2014 EPA order include:

* Constructing drainage and spill containment areas;

* Ensuring proper venting on waste oil tanks;

* Installing vehicular protection for bullet tanks;

* Installing warning systems in two facilities to notify employees of gas releases or fires;

* Revising emergency response plans.

The natural gas processing plants receive raw natural gas from well sites, remove the impurities, and route the processed natural gas into an interstate gas pipeline system.

For additional information see:
Risk Management Plans under Clean Air Act Section 112(r): http://www2.epa.gov/rmp
Clean Air Act General Duty Clause: http://www2.epa.gov/rmp/general-duty-clause-fact-sheet