Hess Corporation has agreed to pay an $850,000 civil
penalty and spend more than $45 million in new pollution controls to
resolve Clean Air Act violations at its Port Reading, N.J., refinery, the Justice Department and the EPA announced today.

In a news release today, the government said that the controls required by the settlement are
estimated to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 181 tons per
year and result in additional reductions of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).

High concentrations of NOx and VOCs, key pollutants emitted from
refineries, can have adverse impacts on human health, including
contributing to childhood asthma, and are significant contributors to
smog. 

The government’s complaint, filed on April 19, 2012, alleged that the
company made modifications to its refinery that increased emissions
without first obtaining pre-construction permits and installing required
pollution control equipment. The Clean Air Act requires major sources
of air pollution to obtain such permits before making changes that would
result in a significant emissions increase of any pollutant.

New Jersey to receive half of the settlement

The state of New Jersey actively participated in the settlement with Hess and will receive half of the civil penalty. 

“The Christie Administration has been aggressively targeting in-state
and out-of-state sources of air pollution, to improve the quality of
life for residents of our state,’’ said NJ Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. “This
settlement is another win for improved air quality for our residents.’’

The consent decree, lodged in the District of New Jersey, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval.