THIS IS A MULTI-MEDIA REFERRAL AGAINST AN OIL REFINERY IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY NEAR CHICAGO, IL. NEIC HAS CONDUCTED A MULTI-MEDIA INSPECTION AT THE FACILITY UNDER WHICH CONCERNED SIGNIFICANT VIOLATIONS UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ACT (LDAR, BENZENE NESHAP & NSPS) AND THE CLEAN WATER ACT (PRETREATMENT AND SECTION 311 VIOLATIONS). THE REFINERY CEASED OPERATIONS IN JANUARY OF 2001. THE PARTIES HAVE REACHED A SETTLEMENT IN PRINCIPAL. A CONSENT DECREE HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED.
This case was commenced against an operating oil refinery in Blue Island, Illinois. NEIC performed a multi-media inspection. A 35-count complaint was filed against the company under 5 separate statutes on September 9, 1998. The primary allegations involved the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. During ongoing settlement discussions the company undertook numerous activities at the refinery to come into compliance. The Company closed the refinery in January of 2000, thus mooting some of the injunctive relief which would otherwise have been required. This settlement recoups economic benefit and includes a substantial gravity-based penalty. It also provides that ongoing operations at the facility (i.e. tank farm) will be controlled through new permits which the company will be required to obtain.