EPA Investigates Texaco in Alleged Clean Air Violation
Texaco officials confirmed Friday that investigators from the federal Environmental Protection Agency served a search warrant on the company’s Wilmington refinery Thursday, apparently in connection with allegations that massive amounts of a refrigerant were vented into the environment.
The refrigerant, R-22, is used to lower the temperature in the company’s hydrogen generation unit while crude oil is being separated. R-22 is a known ozone-depleting chemical.
EPA officials would not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, but court records show that an affidavit seeking a search warrant was filed with the U.S. District Court on Wednesday. It has been sealed.
Texaco spokeswoman Barbara Kornylo said EPA investigators stayed for more than five hours.
The oil company was cited for improper release of R-22 by the South Coast Air Quality Management District on Feb. 22. The notice of violation alleged that Texaco released tens of thousands of pounds of the refrigerant into the atmosphere, said AQMD spokesman Bill Kelly.
The smog agency’s chief prosecutor is now reviewing the citation, he added.
The refinery processes 98,000 barrels of crude oil a day into gasoline and aviation and diesel fuels.
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