Vopak North America and regulatory agencies came to an agreement to strengthen air pollution controls at the company’s chemical storage and wastewater treatment facility in Deer Park.
Alleged Clean Air Act violations at the Deer Park facility led to the agreement, which is meant to improve Vopak’s compliance with state and federal laws. The EPA, Justice Department and State of Texas alleged excess emissions of acetone, benzene, styrene and volatile organic compounds from a wastewater treatment system. High levels of these hazardous pollutants in the air can cause side-effects including headache, nausea and even damage to organs and the central nervous system.
Under the agreement, Vopak will hire a third party auditor to improve waste handling and monitor the company’s compliance. Improved air pollution controls and detection equipment will also be installed. The agreement comes with a requirement that Vopak pay a $2.5 million dollar civil penalty.
Vopak North America Inc. is a subsidiary of Royal Vopak, an international tank storage company. Vopak’s Deer Park terminal is the company’s largest in the U.S. The facility provides storage for petroleum products, biofuels and other chemicals.
Source: Chron.com, “Agreement reached at Deer Park facility to monitor air pollution,” by Brooke A. Lewis, May 17, 2017.