Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has issued Corio-based Viva Energy Refining Pty Ltd (Viva) with a fine of over $7,500 for emitting fluorine compounds into the environment last November at a rate above the allowable limit in its EPA licence.
EPA Executive Director of Regional Services Damian Wells said following a notification by Viva that it had breached its emission limits EPA launched an investigation into the incident.
“The investigation found that fluorine compounds had been released from Viva’s site at a rate of 160 grams-per-minute, above the licence limit of 140 grams-per-minute,” Mr Wells said.
“EPA will now require Viva, through a notice, to identify the cause of the high emissions and ways to address the problem.
“Although there is no indication that any damage to the environment has occurred from this breach, fluorine emissions higher than permitted in Viva’s licence could result in offsite impacts to plants and the community.
“As a condition of Viva’s licence, it is required to undertake offsite monitoring to see if any impacts have occurred from fluorine emissions; monitoring undertaken during the exceedence of emissions has indicated no offsite impacts.”
Mr Wells said that EPA had also become aware of further breaches of Viva’s licence for fluorine compound emissions.
“EPA is investigating these further breaches in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy and further sanctions are possible,” Mr Wells said.
“Licence holders have obligations to maintain facilities that operate within EPA licence conditions. This fine follows one previous fine and four warnings since August 2014 for licence offences involving water discharge and sulphur dioxide emissions and that is simply not acceptable.
“Conditions in an EPA licence are there to regulate industry impact on the environment and protect the community and future generations.”