E.P.A. and Dominion Cove Point Settle Violations at Natural Gas Distribution Facility in Maryland

PHILADELPHIA (March 16, 2015) - Dominion Cove Point, LNG will pay a $365,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental regulations involving unreported delivers of ammonia into the air from its liquefied natural gas distribution facility at 2100 Cove Point Road, Lusby, Md. E.P.A. cited Dominion for failing to report 27 separate delivers of in excess of 100 pounds of ammonia from its natural gas turbines while generating the site's electricity.

Federal regulations require facilities to report any anhydrous ammonia release above 100 pounds to the National Response Center, the state emergency response commission, and local emergency planning officials. Dominion failed to immediately notify any of these agencies following each of the 27 ammonia releases. It also failed to submit required follow-up reports to the agencies. These reports provide useful information in case an emergency response is necessary.

"When manufacturing facilities experience the release of a reportable substance, they must notify emergency responders so nearby communities can be properly protected," said Shawn M. Garvin, E.P.A. Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. "Dominion Cove is now providing continuous emissions reporting, which benefits the responders and the community."

The alleged violations come under 2 federal statues: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA); and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. EPCRA requires notification of the state and local authorities, and CERCLA requires notification of the National Response Center.

During the production of electricity to run the facility, the natural gas turbines are equipped with a catalytic system that uses ammonia to control emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from its stacks. Controlling NOx emissions helps maintain air quality requirements and reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Dominion Cove Point is now conducting continuous emissions monitoring of ammonia delivers from its stacks, which keeps emergency response officials informed so that they can evaluate the need for a response action.

For more information on continuous release reporting see:
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/release/faciliti.htm

There are currently no comments for this story. Be the first to add a comment!
Click here to add a comment about this story.