EPA Fines Calumet Montana Refining for Chemical Abuses

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as entered into a Clean Air Act settlement where Calumet Montana Refining will pay a $385,000 penalty and address violations of Risk Management Program (RMP) requirements at its petroleum refining facility in Great Falls, Montana.

“Facilities must properly handle hazardous substances to prevent dangerous chemical accidents and follow reporting requirements when releases occur,” said Suzanne Bohan, director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “If they don’t, EPA will hold them accountable. We are pleased that Calumet Montana Refining is implementing critical safety measures to protect workers and the community.”

The settlement, filed as a Consent Agreement on 12 December 2023, resulted from a 2019 EPA inspection at the Calumet facility that revealed several violations related to the management of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid. “Deficiencies” were found with process safety information, hazard analysis, mechanical integrity and operating procedures. The company has been cooperative in correcting all identified deficiencies to reduce the possibility of an accidental release, EPA said.

The case is part of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to reduce risks from chemical accidents. It addresses compliance within the petroleum refining industry sector, which can pose serious risks from such accidents.

Following recommendations made by the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in April 2019, EPA is persistent on ensuring compliance with the RMP at petroleum refining facilities that store and process hydrofluoric acid.

The Calumet facility is subject to Clean Air Act RMP regulations because it stores and processes large quantities of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid, a highly toxic substance that may cause severe injury, burns or death when released into air. The RMP rule requires facilities holding more than 10,000 pounds of flammable mixture or 1000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid to develop a RMP and submit that plan to EPA.

RMPs cover the proper design and maintenance of equipment such as pipes and vessels, emergency preparedness and the ability to minimize releases that may occur. They provide indispensable information to local fire, police and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies.

“Making these plans available to the public also fosters communication and awareness to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level,” EPA said.