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Sunoco and EPA Settle Alleged Clean Air Act Violations at Philadelphia Facility

Release Date: 07/08/2008
Contact Information: Terri White, 215-814-5523 white.terri-a@epa.gov

(PHILADELPHIA, July 8, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Sunoco, Inc. (R&M) have agreed to a $200,000 settlement for past clean air violations at Sunoco's chemical manufacturing facility in Philadelphia. This facility is located at Margaret and Bermuda streets in Philadelphia’s Frankford section.

According to EPA, inspections in 2003 and subsequent document reviews found violations of the plant’s Clean Air Act permit and national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, including regulations of benzene waste and hazardous organic compounds. The alleged violations included failing to 1) meet emission limits, 2) calculate and report emissions correctly, 3) operate certain units in accordance with its permit, 4) implement new requirements for specific vents, 5) keep proper records and 6) timely recalculate and report the facility’s total annual benzene quantity.

As part of the settlement, Sunoco has agreed to conduct performance tests on specified pieces of equipment to ensure compliance with Clean Air Act regulations. Sunoco has neither admitted nor denied liability for the violations alleged by EPA.