The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has fined Kinder Morgan, Inc., $226,990 for breaching air quality rules at its Richmond and San Jose fuel terminals. The company faces a substantial penalty of $226,990 for eight separate violations identified in 2022 and 2023. A fuel terminal, for context, serves as a vital hub where fuel is brought in, stored, and then distributed to various outlets such as gas stations, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Known for its expansive operations in energy infrastructure, primarily dealing with pipelines and fuel terminals across North America, Kinder Morgan was found to have violated regulations that ranged from structural issues to spills. Notably, notices from the Air District show that the violations included gaps in tank roofs and exceeding fuel storage limits at the Richmond terminal, while the San Jose location dealt with a gasoline spill and vapor leaks. As per the Air District's new 2024 policy, a slice of the penalty funds will be allocated to community projects to reduce pollution and bolster public health in the neighborhoods affected by the infractions.
All reported violations have now been addressed, with Kinder Morgan taking corrective actions involving changes to operations and equipment adjustments to align with compliance standards. The Bay Area Air District has a history of issuing Notices of Violation when entities step out of line with air quality regulations designed to limit emissions of volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants can have deleterious effects on both the environment and human health. Ensuring adherence to air quality standards at the federal, state, and local levels is critical to the district's mandate.
