Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Origin Energy Resources Pty Ltd more than $7,500 and issued it with an official warning for breaching its EPA licence at its Port Campbell plant.
EPA South West Manager Eve Graham said EPA was notified twice by Origin of a breach of its stack emission limits for benzene on 19 February 2016 and 28 April 2016.
Benzene is a chemical that can be found in industrial processes, fuels, cigarette smoke and some natural sources such as bushfires.
“The original breach on 19 February was not identified until test results became available in early April. This prompted a re-test on 28 April which also confirmed a licence breach,” Ms Graham said.
“Origin shut down its gas plant after the April result to undertake essential maintenance works. Daily sampling undertaken after the re-start confirmed benzene emissions were again meeting the company’s EPA licence requirements.
“An assessment by EPA of the potential impacts of the higher than allowable benzene emissions determined that while the licence limit was breached, compliance with air policy requirements would still have been met. This assessment concluded that human health risks were regarded as low.”
Ms Graham said EPA had previously issued Origin a notice in September 2015 that required the company to complete an audit to determine if the discharge of benzene and other air emissions from the site complied with all environmental policy requirements.
“Testing as part of the audit process found that benzene emissions from other parts of the operation were higher than had been previously tested. Origin, at the advice of the auditor, has since conducted a Health Risk Assessment that EPA is reviewing,” Ms Graham said.
“EPA recently amended the due date for submission of the audit report to August 2016 to allow the completion of the Health Risk Assessment and finalisation of the auditor’s report.”
Ms Graham said Origin had also changed its operating practices, including limiting the amount of time the facility could operate when some pieces of control equipment were not working correctly and increased licence compliance testing.
“Further changes may be required by EPA once the results of the audit report are reviewed,” Ms Graham said.
Ms Graham said EPA had also completed a major industry assessment of the Port Campbell plant during April 2016 to assess other environmental risks associated with the operation of the gas plant and to ensure appropriate procedures were in place to manage any risks.
“The inspection report and any further actions required as a result of the major industry assessment will be finalised shortly.”