Tennessee Refiner to Pay Out $2.2 Million for Violating Clean Air Act

By Jennifer Griffith

Published on March 20, 2007

Williams Refining was accused of failing to comply with regulations intended to prevent benzene emissions.

Benzene, a known carcinogen, has been labeled by the EPA as a hazardous air pollutant under the CAA.

Williams owned the refinery since the 1980s and sold it to Premcor Refining Group in 2003. Since 2005, the refinery has been under the ownership and operation of Valero Energy Corp. It produces gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel.

It is the primary source of Memphis International Airport's jet fuel.

The EPA began its investigation of Williams Refining after the company drew suspicion for reporting less than 10 megagrams of benzene emissions – a small amount given the size of the refinery. Under the CAA, refineries that discharge over 10 megagrams of benzene annually are required to handle their wastewater in accordance with the Benzene National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants.

A portion of the settlement will go to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for violations of the Clean Water Act.

The complaint and the settlement were filed in the Middle District of Tennessee.

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