Alleged environmental violations in Juneau mean a stiff penalty and new pollution-controlling equipment for Delta Western, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The petroleum distributor with service areas throughout the state is expected to pay a $400,000 penalty and install equipment after reaching a settlement with the EPA for allegedly violating the federal Clean Air Act in Juneau, according to a release from the EPA.
Penalties are generally paid in one lump sum to the U.S. Treasury, said Mark MacIntyre, senior public information officer for the EPA’s Region 10, in a phone interview.
The EPA alleged Delta Western violated the Clean Air Act’s New Source Performance Standards for storage vessels and gasoline distribution terminals after the agency issued an information request to the facility in April 2018, according to the EPA.
The agency also alleged Delta Western failed to comply with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants that apply to bulk gasoline distribution and dispensing facilities.
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“When terminals handle a certain volume of petroleum, more sophisticated pollution controls must be installed to reduce emissions of hazardous pollutants and better protect people and the environment,” said Ed Kowalski, Director of EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division in Seattle in a release. “We’re glad to hear that the required equipment to reduce harmful air emissions is either now installed or will be shortly.”
Delta Western is committed to install internal “floating roofs” to control emissions from three high-capacity gasoline storage tanks and install additional controls to reduce emissions from gasoline delivery trucks loading at their terminal, according to the EPA.
Installation of these controls will significantly reduce the emissions of toxic vapors from the terminal, according to the EPA, and is expected to be done by Oct. 31.
MacIntyre said the violations were strictly related to air emissions and further remediation, such as soil removal, is not expected.
Delta Western Juneau Office Manager Dan Reed referred the Empire to a statement issued by Delta Western.
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“As an Alaskan-based independent business, Delta Western cares about the health and well-being of the people and environments in which we operate,” stated the release. “We take seriously our responsibility to provide Alaska with critical fuels in a safe and compliant manner. Through cooperation and collaboration with the EPA and other regulatory bodies we will continue to proactively evolve our operations throughout the state and drive toward a cleaner energy future. The vapor recovery system in Juneau ensures we are in compliance with air regulations and also enables us to serve customers we were unable to accommodate in the past. We appreciate the diligence of the EPA in their important work to monitor Alaska’s industries and protect this beautiful state we call home.”
• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.
