Dominion Cove Point LNG will pay $365,000 to settle allegations that it released ammonia into the air from its liquefied natural gas distribution facility in Lusby, Md without reporting it.
The EPA cited Dominion for not reporting 27 releases of more than 100 pounds of ammonia from its turbines while generating electricity at the site.
Facilties are required to report any release of more than 100 pounds to the National Response Center, the state emergency response commission and local emergency planning officials, all of which Dominion failed to do. The company also didn’t submit the required follow-up reports to those agencies.
“When manufacturing facilities experience the release of a reportable substance, they must notify emergency responders so nearby communities can be properly protected,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator.
Garvin said Dominion is now providing continuous emissions reporting.
Dominion releases ammonia during its production of electricity to run the factory. The natural gas turbines’ catalytic system use ammonia to control emissions of nitrogen oxides from its stacks, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.