SINCE JANUARY 1995, SHELL HAS BEEN OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BENZENE WASTE NESHAP. U.S. EPA HAS CONCLUDED THAT SHELL'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE BENZENE WASTE NESHAP CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED THROUGH ENTERING INTO A CONSENT DECREE WITH SHELL. THE BENZENE WASTE NESHAP REGULATIONS DO NOT PROVIDE FOR ISSUANCE OF A WAIVER BEYOND JANUARY 1995. SHELL HAS EXPRESSED ITS WILLINGNESS TO RESOLVE ITS CONTINUING NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE BENZENE WASTE NESHAP REQUIREMENTS THROUGH ENTERING INTO A CONSENT DECREE WITH U.S. EPA AND U.S. EPA BELIEVES THAT THIS MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED EXPEDITIOUSLY.