New Jersey
Oil Refinery to Greatly Reduce Air Pollutants and Pay Fine
for Past Violations:
Gloucester County to Receive New Environment Friendly Truck
Stop to Curb Diesel Emissions
(03/138) TRENTON ---
Representing a major clean air victory for the state of
New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced that Coastal
Eagle Point Oil Company, Gloucester County, signed a federal
consent decree to settle multiple state and federal air
pollution violations that will significantly lower harmful
air emissions for the future, fund a $1 million beneficial
environmental project and award the state a $1.25 million
fine.
In addition to compensating state residents $1.25 million
for violations of the New Jersey Air Pollution Control
Act, Coastal Eagle Point Oil Company paid an additional
$1.25 million to the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) for violations of the federal Clean Air Act.
"In the past, Coastal Eagle Point Oil Company failed
to comply with air pollution laws and operated without
proper regard for the health of New Jersey's residents," said
Commissioner Campbell. "In this settlement the company
agrees to more stringent environmental safeguards that
will greatly reduce air pollution above and beyond current
standards and provide those living in Gloucester County
better air quality."
As part of the joint consent decree between New Jersey
DEP, the federal EPA and Coastal Eagle Point Oil Company,
the refinery is to invest $3 to $7 million to upgrade the
plant's environmental controls by 2008. The upgrades will
reduce harmful air emissions, including nitrogen oxides
(NOx), sulfur dioxides, fine particulates and benzene,
a hazardous air pollutant. The upgrades also will enhance
leak detection and repair at the plant, and identify and
reduce flaring incidents that result in emission releases.
In addition, Coastal Eagle Point Oil Company will pay
$1 million to Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use
Management (NESCAUM) to partially fund an environmentally
beneficial project designed to eliminate diesel emissions
from idling trucks at the Paulsboro Travel Center, located
at Exit 18A of Interstate 295, Gloucester County.
NESCAUM will install electrical technology called IdleAire
to approximately 175 parking spaces at the travel center.
The first 75 electrical hookups are being funded through
a grant received by New Jersey DEP and NESCAUM that originated
based on a resident's suggestion at a Camden public meeting.
The electrical hookups will significantly reduce the emission
of ozone causing pollutants such as NOx, particulate matter
and hydrocarbons by allowing trucks to plug in for utility
services rather than idle their diesel engines overnight
to generate power. Ozone causing air pollutants can impact
the respiratory system, aggravate asthma, increase susceptibility
to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis,
and contribute to permanent lung damage.
"New Jersey's strong efforts to enforce clean air
protections - in this case the New Jersey Air Pollution
Control Act - have once again produced a major victory
for our environment and the health of New Jersey citizens," said
First Assistant Attorney General Edward M. Neafsey. "If
companies break the law and degrade the quality of our
air, rest assured that we will go after them for remedial
action and compensation."
Over a five-year period, the New Jersey DEP issued Coastal
Eagle Point Oil Company 18 Administrative Orders and Notices
of Civil Administrative Penalty Assessments for multiple
and ongoing air pollution violations. In 1998,1999, 2000,
2002 and 2003, the refinery repeatedly violated maximum
allowable emission limits in its DEP-issued permits and
failed to properly monitor emissions.
"The significant pollution reductions in this settlement
agreement are the result of enforcement and persistent
efforts over the past year to resolve these long-standing
violations," Commissioner Campbell added. "As
a result of these efforts New Jersey residents and their
children will see a real improvement in air quality and
benefit from lower diesel truck emissions."
Coastal Eagle Point Oil Company has 30 days after the
filing of the consent decree to pay $1 million for the
environmentally beneficial truck stop project, the $1.25
million civil penalty to the state of New Jersey, and the
$1.25 million penalty to the United States.
There is a 30-day public comment period before the federal
district court in Camden approves the consent decree.
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