The company is in noncompliance of a Consent Agreement and Final Order filed in August 2009 by the EPA and New Mexico Environmental Department due to multiple violations stemming from its storage and treatment of hazardous waste containing benzene, at its Jamestown petroleum refinery.
Western has received two noncompliance letters from the EPA within the past two months with the first one for improper sampling and exceeding benzene levels in wastewater and the second letter for improper collection of samples and illegal disposal of hazardous waste.
As per the settlement agreement with the EPA, Western will cease all discharges of benzene and close two aeration lagoons that received hazardous waste, in addition to paying the levied fines within 30 days of receiving notification letters.
