Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Clean Air Act

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Clean Air Act

Notice is hereby given that on March 31, 1998, a proposed Consent

Decree was lodged with the United States District Court for the

District of Alaska in United States v. Union Oil Co., A97-397 CIV (JWS)

(D. Alaska). The proposed Consent Decree settles claims asserted by the

United States at the request of the United States Environmental

Protection Agency (``EPA'') in a complaint filed on October 7, 1997.

The United States filed its complaint pursuant to Section 113 of the

Clean Air Act (``CAA'' or ``Act''), 42 U.S.C. 7413(b). The complaint

requested the assessment of civil penalties and injunctive relief

against defendant Union Oil Company of California d.b.a. Unocal

(``Unocal'') for the following: (1) Violations of the CAA's prevention

of significant deterioration (``PSD'') program as set forth in Part C

of Title I, 42 U.S.C. 7471 et seq., and in the regulations promulgated

thereunder, 40 CFR 52.21; and (2) violations of conditions contained in

state permit conditions issued under the federally enforceable Alaska

State Implementation Plan. The United States alleges that the

violations occurred in connection with the modification and operation

of equipment at Unocal's ammonia and urea processing facility in Kenai,

Alaska.

Under the proposed Consent Decree, Unocal will pay to the United

States a $550,000 civil penalty. In addition, Unocal will spend more

than $6.6 million to install a Supplemental Environmental Project

ammonia flare and scrubber system. Unocal also will monitor the

combustion efficiency of its equipment and will perform specified

injunctive relief to comply with the Clean Air Act and the Alaska State

Implementation Plan.

The Department of Justice will receive written comments relating to

the proposed Consent Decree for thirty (30) days from the date of

publication of this notice. Comments should be addressed to the

Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources

Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530, and

should refer to United States v. Union Oil Co., DOJ #90-5-2-1-2079. The

proposed Consent Decree may be examined at the Region 10 Office of EPA,

7th Floor Records Center, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. A copy

of the Consent Decree may be obtained in person or by mail from the

Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, N.W., 4th Floor, Washington,

D.C. 20005 (202) 624-0892. In requesting copies, please enclose a check

in the amount of $9.50 (25 cents per page) payable to the ``Consent

Decree Library.''

Joel Gross,

Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural

Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 98-10431 Filed 4-20-98; 8:45 am]

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