TCEQ Fines Total, South Hampton, Dupont in Orange County

News Release From TCEQ:

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality today approved penalties totaling $3,011,628 against 123 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations.

Agreed orders were issued for the following enforcement categories:  22 air quality, one dry cleaner, one field citation, one industrial hazardous waste, two industrial waste discharge, one licensed irrigator,  11 multi-media, five municipal solid waste, 13 municipal waste discharge, one on site sewage facility, 25 petroleum storage tank, 10 public water system, eight water quality, and one water right.  In addition, default orders were issued for the following categories: one air quality, one industrial hazardous waste, one industrial waste discharge, one multi-media,  14 petroleum storage tank, two public water system, and one petroleum storage tank default and shutdown order.

Included in the total were fines against Dow Chemical, of Brazoria County in the amount of $648,904 for numerous air and industrial and hazardous waste violations, documented in routine inspections, conducted between 2003-2006. Of that fine total, a Supplemental Environmental Project of $324,452 will be provided to the Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles Program, in Brazoria County.

Also included in the total were fines against Total Petrochemicals, Jefferson County, in the amount of $529,300. The fines were the result of 21 air violations, documented in a routine inspections conducted in 2007. Of that fine total, a $211,720 SEP amount will be contributed to the Texas Association of Resource Conservation and Development Areas, Inc., to help replace and retrofit older diesel school buses.

Also included in the total were fines against South Hampton Resources, Inc., formerly known as South Hampton Refining Company, in Hardin County, in the amount of $274,433 for a total of 38 various air and industrial and hazardous waste violations. Of that fine total, a $137,216 SEP amount will be contributed to the Texas Association of Resource Conservation and Development Areas, Inc., for water or wastewater assistance.

Also included in the total were fines against E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company dba Du Pont Sabine River Works, in Orange County, in the amount of $176,575 for a total of 27 various air, public water supply and water quality violations. Of that fine total, an $88,287 SEP amount will be contributed to the Ducks Unlimited for reforestation of the Tony Houseman State Park and Wildlife Management Area.

The TCEQ's next agenda meeting is scheduled for Oct. 22. Agenda items from all commission meetings and work session agendas can be viewed on the TCEQ Web site, www.tceq.state.tx.us. The meeting is also webcast live for free, and archived meetings are available at TexasAdMin.com, www.texasadmin.com.

DuPont Statement on TCEQ Agreed Order

• DuPont Sabine River Works entered into an agreed order with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) settling 27 allegations relating to reportable and non-reportable emissions events from 2001 through 2004.
• These alleged events did not cause an adverse impact to the environment. The majority of allegations were administrative in nature, or involved quantities of material less than 20 pounds. All of the conditions that led to the alleged events have been corrected.
• DuPont Sabine River Works has spent millions of dollars environmental projects since these events occurred, and reduced overall plant emissions by 28% in that time.