Continental Carbon Company, Air Pollution Crimes, Alabama 2024

WASHINGTON – In a settlement with the United States and the states of Alabama and Oklahoma, Continental Carbon Company has agreed to install pollution control technology that will significantly cut emissions of harmful air pollutants at manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.

The settlement will resolve claims that Houston-based Continental violated the Clean Air Act by modifying their facilities in a way that caused the release of excess sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). ‘Today’s agreement is good news for residents living near Continental facilities, many of whom were overburdened by air pollution for far too long and whose children, like all Americans, should be able to breathe clean air.’

Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said the agreement is a result of the continuing efforts to vigorously enforce the Clean Air Act to protect public health and the environment. ‘The settlement requires Continental to control large sources of air pollution with advanced technology and requires projects that will have a direct and positive impact on Continental’s neighbors.’

Continental manufactures carbon black, a fine carbonaceous powder used in tires, plastics, rubber, inkjet toner and cosmetics, at facilities in Phenix City, Alabama, Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Sunray, Texas. Because the oil used to make carbon black is high in sulfur, its production creates large amounts of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter.

The settlement requires Continental to pay a civil penalty of $650,000, which will be shared with Alabama and Oklahoma, co-plaintiffs in the case. Continental must also spend $550,000 on environmental projects to help mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on the environment and to benefit local communities, including at least $25,000 on energy efficiency projects in the communities near each of the three facilities.

EPA expects that the actions required by the settlement will reduce harmful emissions by approximately 6,278 tons per year of sulfur dioxide and 1,590 tons per year of nitrogen oxide. Continental estimates that it will spend about $98 million to implement the required measures. The pollution reductions will be achieved through the installation, upgrade and operation of state-of-the-art pollution control devices designed to reduce emissions and protect public health.

SO₂ and NOx have numerous adverse effects on human health and are significant contributors to acid rain, smog and haze. These pollutants are converted in the air to particulate matter that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, and premature death.

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