National Enforcement Investigations Center
Case Results - Vopak Terminal Deer Park
Identification of CAA Emissions Sources
Air Monitoring using Advanced Monitoring Equipment and
Air Canister Sampling/Analysis

NEIC's Support:
•	Forensics-based field
investigations and laboratory
analyses accredited under
ISO/IEC: 17025
•	Facility emission source
assessments and
identification
•	CAA expertise
NEIC's Other Capabilities:
•	Process-based investigations
•	Interpretation of analytical
results
•	Statistical services
•	Toxicological expertise
•	Analytical consultations
•	CAA 112r, CWA, EPCRA,
and RCRA expertise
•	Training
Background: Vopak North America Inc. stores arid handles liquid chemicals, gases,
and oil products in the United States and Canada. The company is based in Houston,
Texas, and operates terminals in several other states. Vopak Terminal Deer Park,
Texas, generates storm water and process wastewater that contain volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), which is treated at an on-site wastewater plant,
NEIC's support: In April 2013, at the request of EPA Region 6, NEIC conducted
mobile air monitoring in and around Deer Park and Texas City, Texas, using NEIC's
Geospatial Measurement of Air Pollution mobile air monitoring vehicle (GMAP) and
air canister sampling. GMAP detected elevated benzene levels adjacent to Vopak
Terminal Deer Park, which was confirmed by analysis of air canister samples by the
NEIC laboratory. GMAP also detected elevated benzene levels at the Vopak
wastewater treatment plant.
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The map at left shows
GMAP's route of travel
and locations where
elevated benzene levels
were detected at Vopak
Terminal Deer Park.
Enforcement results: The data generated by NEIC were used to target subsequent EPA Region 6 inspections of
Vopak Terminal Deer Park in 2014 and 2015. These inspections identified leaking tanks and inefficient flares and
process equipment, such as open-top tanks and VOC/water separators, that were releasing excess VOC emissions.
EPA Region 6 developed an enforcement case against Vopak Terminal Deer Park, which was settled in May 2017.
This settlement included a civil penalty of $2.5 million, which was split between the state of Texas and the United
States. As part of the consent decree, Vopak Terminal Deer Park agreed to invest approximately $5 million in capital
upgrades at its facility, including enhanced operations procedures and improved tank covers. The company is also
investing in advanced technologies such as optical gas imaging cameras to help identify emissions.
How to obtain NEIC's support
NEIC provides environmental forensics support for criminal and civil enforcement cases. If you would like more
information on NEIC or to request laboratory analysis, toxicological support, an investigation, technical assistance, or
training from NEIC, please contact us at neic project requests(a>epa.gov. You may also contact your regional
enforcement coordinator for more information on requesting NEIC's support on civil projects and EPA's Criminal
Investigation Division (CID) for support on criminal projects.
NEIC | Denver Federal Center, Building 25 | Denver, Colorado | 303.462.9000

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