OXYVINYLS IS OWNED BY OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION (OXYCHEM). EPA IS REFERRING THIS FACILITY AS PART OF A NATIONAL GLOBAL SETTLEMENT INVOLVING THREE OTHER OXYCHEM FACILITIES LOCATED IN REGION 2 AND REGION6.
IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF 2003, EPA REGION 3 CONDUCTED A MULTIMEDIA INSPECTION OF OXYCHEM'S PVC FACILITY IN POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. THIS FACILITY PRODUCES APPROX 210 MILLION POUNDS OF DISPERSION AND SUSPENSION POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) RESIN ANNUALLY. THE INSPECTION DISCOVERED VIOLATIONS UNDER THE CWA, RCRA, CAA, CERCLA, AND EPCRA. REGION 3 THEREAFTER ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT TO OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORP. SETTLEMENT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN REGION 3 AND OXYCHEM FOLLOWED, WHICH CULMINATED IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE CONSENT ORDER. FOLLOWING THESE NEGOTIATIONS, OXYCHEM APPROACHED EPA REGION 3 ABOUT NEGOTIATING A GLOBAL SETTLEMENT TO RESOLVE POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS AT THEIR OTHER FACILITIES