BELLINGHAM — The Northwest Clean Air Agency slapped Shell with a $60,000 penalty Monday after its Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes spewed odorous black smoke into the air in August and September.
The two flaring events exceeded legal visible emissions for more than five minutes, impacting surrounding communities such as the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Following the second incident on Sept. 29, the air agency received 12 complaints and issued a notice of violation to Shell in April.
The plume of emissions resulted from failure of equipment meant to break apart hydrocarbons to make products such as gasoline. When the unit failed, sulfur and other materials entered the flare system, billowing out into the surrounding area. The smoke could be smelled several miles downwind of the refinery.
The Puget Sound Refinery can process approximately 149,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces multiple types of gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel, propane, jet fuel, butane and petroleum coke.
