STATE OF |
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BEFORE THE INDIANA
DEPARTMENT |
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COMMISSIONER OF THE
DEPARTMENT Complainant, v. PRAXAIR, INC., Respondent. |
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2006-16506-A |
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AGREED ORDER
Complainant and Respondent
desire to settle and compromise this action without hearing or adjudication of
any issue of fact or law, and consent to the entry of the following Findings of
Fact and Order. Pursuant to IC
13-30-3-3, entry into the terms of this Agreed Order does not constitute an
admission of any violation contained herein.
Respondent's entry into this Agreed Order shall not constitute a waiver
of any defense, legal or equitable, which Respondent may have in any future
administrative or judicial proceeding, except a proceeding to enforce this
order.
I.
IDEM FINDINGS OF FACT
1.
Complainant is
the Commissioner (“Complainant”) of the Indiana Department of Environmental
Management (“IDEM”), a department of the State of
2.
Respondent is
Praxair, Inc. (“Respondent”), which owns and operates a stationary industrial
gas manufacturing facility with United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) ID No. 089-00435, Title V Permit No. 21039, (“Permit”), issued to
Respondent on August 30, 2005, located at
3.
IDEM has
jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
4.
Pursuant to IC
13-30-3-3, IDEM issued a Notice of Violation on February 12, 2007 via Certified
Mail to:
Mr.
Stephen F. Angel, President |
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5.
During an
investigation conducted by a representative of IDEM, the following violation
was found:
a.
Pursuant to Part
70 Permit No. 21039, condition D.1.4, the concentration of ammonia at the
Reformer No. 3 exhaust stack (S/V 011) shall not exceed twenty (20) parts per
million by volume dry (ppmvd) at three percent (3%) oxygen as required by 326
IAC 2-1.1-5 Air Quality Requirements.
During
retesting of the stack on July 17, 2006, the average ammonia emissions from the
Selective Catalytic Reduction equipment for Methane Reformer No. 3 measured
21.49 ppmvd @ 3% oxygen and 93% of maximum rated capacity, in violation of
Permit condition D.1.4.
6.
The stack test
completed on September 13, 2005, which was referenced in the Notice of
Violation sent to Respondent on February 12, 2007, is not being considered a
valid compliance test since the Ammonia flow rate was not representative of
normal process conditions.
7.
Respondent
re-tested on August 25, 2006 and was found to be in compliance with Ammonia
emissions measuring 3.65 ppmvd.
8.
In recognition
of the settlement reached, Respondent waives any right to administrative and
judicial review of this Agreed Order.
II.
ORDER
1.
This Agreed
Order shall be effective (“Effective Date”) when it is approved by Complainant
or Complainant’s delegate, and has been received by Respondent. This Agreed Order shall have no force or
effect until the Effective Date.
2.
Respondent shall
comply with the requirements of Part 70 Permit No. 21039, condition D.1.4.
3.
All submittals
required by this Agreed Order, unless Respondent is notified otherwise in
writing by IDEM, shall be sent to:
Rebecca
Hayes, Enforcement Case Manager |
Office
of Enforcement – Mail Code 60-02 |
Indiana
Department of Environmental Management |
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4.
Respondent is
assessed a civil penalty of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000). Said penalty amount shall be due and payable
to the Environmental Management Special Fund within thirty (30) days of the
Effective Date. In the event that the
civil penalty is not paid within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, Respondent
shall pay interest on the unpaid balance at the rate established by IC
24-4.6-1-101. The interest shall
continue to accrue until the civil penalty is paid in full.
5.
Civil penalties
are payable by check to the “Environmental Management Special Fund.” Checks shall include the Case Number of this
action and shall be mailed to:
Indiana
Department of Environmental Management |
Cashier
– Mail Code 50-10C |
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6.
This Agreed
Order shall apply to and be binding upon Respondent and its successors and
assigns. Respondent’s signatories to this Agreed Order certify that they are
fully authorized to execute this Agreed Order and legally bind the party they
represent. No change in ownership,
corporate, or partnership status of Respondent shall in any way alter their
status or responsibilities under this Agreed Order.
7.
In the event
that any terms of this Agreed Order are found to be invalid, the remaining
terms shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed and enforced
as if this Agreed Order did not contain the invalid terms.
8.
Respondent shall
provide a copy of this Agreed Order, if in force, to any subsequent owners or
successors before ownership rights are transferred. Respondent shall ensure that all contractors,
firms and other persons performing work under this Agreed Order comply with the
terms of this Agreed Order.
9.
This Agreed
Order is not and shall not be interpreted to be a permit or a modification of
an existing permit. This Agreed Order, and
IDEM’s review or approval of any submittal made by Respondent pursuant to this
Agreed Order, shall not in any way relieve Respondent of their obligation to
comply with the requirements of their applicable permit or any applicable
Federal or State law or regulation.
10.
Complainant does
not, by its approval of this Agreed Order, warrant or aver in any manner that
Respondent’s compliance with any aspect of this Agreed Order will result in
compliance with the provisions of any permit, order, or any applicable Federal
or State law or regulation.
Additionally, IDEM or anyone acting on its behalf shall not be held
liable for any costs or penalties Respondent may incur as a result of
Respondent’s efforts to comply with this Agreed Order.
11.
Nothing in this
Agreed Order shall prevent or limit IDEM’s rights to obtain penalties or
injunctive relief under any applicable Federal or State law or regulation,
except that IDEM may not, and hereby waives its right to, seek additional civil
penalties for the same violations specified in the NOV.
12.
Nothing in this
Agreed Order shall prevent IDEM or anyone acting on its behalf from
communicating with the EPA or any other agency or entity about any matters
relating to this enforcement action.
IDEM or anyone acting on its behalf shall not be held liable for any
costs or penalties Respondent may incur as a result of such communications with
the EPA or any other agency or entity.
13.
This Agreed
Order shall remain in effect until IDEM issues a Case Resolution letter.
TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATION: |
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RESPONDENT: |
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Department of Environmental Management |
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Praxair, Inc. |
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Craig Henry |
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Printed: |
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Chief, Air Section |
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Title: |
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Office of Enforcement |
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COUNSEL FOR COMPLAINANT: |
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COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT: |
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For the Department of Environmental Management |
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By: |
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By: |
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Deputy Attorney General |
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Date: |
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Date: |
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APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL |
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MANAGEMENT THIS |
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DAY
OF |
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, 2007. |
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For the Commissioner: |
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Signed on September 26, 2007 |
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Robert B. Keene |
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Assistant Commissioner |
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Office of Legal Counsel and Enforcement |
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