Sinclair Tulsa Refining, Water Pollution, OK 2007

Tulsa, OK – Sinclair Tulsa Refining Company, along with two of its managers, faced federal penalties in 2007 after admitting to a deliberate scheme to falsify wastewater discharge reports to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case, brought under the Clean Water Act, reveals a calculated effort to manipulate testing procedures and conceal potential environmental violations at the refinery.

According to court documents, the company and its personnel knowingly altered refinery processes, wastewater flows, and sampling methods specifically to produce unrepresentative wastewater samples during mandatory testing. These tests are crucial for ensuring compliance with the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters. The intent was clear: to present a misleading picture of the refinery’s environmental performance to regulators.

The investigation, led by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, uncovered evidence demonstrating that the manipulation wasn’t accidental. Sources within the investigation indicate the scheme involved actively directing employees to take specific actions during sampling events, effectively “gaming” the system to achieve desired results. This systematic deception aimed to avoid costly upgrades or potential shutdowns related to environmental non-compliance.

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Charges and Sentencing

On December 12, 2006, Sinclair Tulsa Refining Company was formally charged with two counts of violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – knowingly violating the Act. The company entered a guilty plea. Simultaneously, two managers, Connell and Kapura, were charged with one count each of violating the same statute. Both also pled guilty. The Department of Justice pursued significant penalties to deter future misconduct.

In April 2007, the court handed down the following sentences: Sinclair Tulsa Refining Company received 24 months of probation and was ordered to pay a substantial federal fine of $5,500,000. Connell was sentenced to 36 months of probation, 100 hours of community service, a $100 special assessment, and a $160,000 federal fine. Kapura received 36 months of probation, 50 hours of community service, a $100 special assessment, and an $80,000 federal fine. The penalties underscore the seriousness with which federal authorities treat environmental crimes and the accountability of both corporations and individuals involved.

Key Facts

Defendant: Sinclair Tulsa Refining Company, Connell, Kapura
Crime: Violations of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1311(a) & 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A))
State: Oklahoma
Year: 2007
Company Penalty: 24 months probation, $5,500,000 fine
Connell Penalty: 36 months probation, 100 hrs community service, $160,100 fine
Kapura Penalty: 36 months probation, 50 hrs community service, $80,100 fine
Method: Manipulation of refinery processes and wastewater sampling to produce false results.

This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are not merely suggestions, but legally binding requirements. The GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on efforts to hold polluters accountable for their actions.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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