EPA REGION III ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER ON CONSENT ( ORDER )TO MARKWES LIBERTY MIDSTREAM AND RESOURCES, LLC, THE OPERATOR OF 14 NATURAL GAS COMPRESSORY STATIONS LOCATED IN WASHINGTON AND BUTLER COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA. THE FACILITIES RECEIVE NATURAL GAS FROM WELL SITES, SEPARATE OUT THE LIQUIDS FROM THE NATURAL GAS AND ROUTE THE NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS TO ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS AT THE FACILITIES. EPA HAD CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION OF 10 OF THE FACILITES ON SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2011, TO ASSESS COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112(r)(1) OF THE CAA, (THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE) AMONG OTHER FEDERAL STATUTES. EPA DETERMINED THAT MARKWEST VIOLATED THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE BY FAILING TO (A) PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE OF THE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN THE TANKS BECAUSE THE TANKS LACKED SUFFICIENTLY-SIZED VENTING CAPABILITY AND (B) MAINTAIN THE THIEF HATCHES. WITH THIS ORDER, MARKWEST AGREED TO INSTALL APPROPRIATELY SIZED EMERGENCY VENTS ON THE TANKS AND ADOPT AN APPROVED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AT THE 10 INSPECTED FACILITY AS WELL AS 4 ADDITIONAL COMPRESSOR STATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA. ISSUANCE OF THIS ORDER WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY DECREASING THE RISK OF RELEASES OF EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.