EPA believes the improvements prevent chemical releases and provide prompt detection and response when incidents and releases do occur.
Hovensa violated provisions of the federal Clean Air Act related to the development of risk management programs and the submission of risk management plans for facilities that handle flammable and toxic chemicals.
EPA regional administrator Judith Enck said there have been too many chemical releases and other potentially dangerous incidents at the Hovensa refinery in recent years, including three since January 2011 alone.
"Equipment at the HOVENSA facility needs to be properly maintained and workers well trained to protect people living nearby from exposure to dangerous chemicals," Enck said.
The company has agreed to address Clean Air Act violations according to a schedule laid out in the order.
