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AMERICAN AIRLINES WILL MAKE CLEAN AIR IMPROVEMENTS AT LOGAN AIRPORT REPORTS TO EPA THE USE OF ILLEGAL HIGH SULFUR FUEL IN MOTOR VEHICLES

Release Date: 07/19/1999
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON -- In an agreement signed last week with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Airlines said it would pay a $95,000 penalty and spend $400,000 on environmental improvements at Logan Airport as a penalty for violating Clean Air Act standards.

In the July 14 settlement agreement, the Texas-based airline reported to EPA the use of a high-sulfur fuel in motor vehicles at 10 major airports around the country, including JFK in New York and O'Hare in Chicago. The violations occurred over a 4 ½ year period - from October 1993 to July 1998. Logan was not one of the airports where the violations occurred, but it was chosen to receive the new belt-loaders because it has newer electrical circuitry that can support the electrical loaders.

Under the federal Clean Air Act, high sulfur fuel -- fuel containing more than .05 percent sulfur by weight -- may not be used in motor vehicles. This high sulfur fuel, which is less expensive, is commonly used as heating oil and fuel for off-road equipment and engines, such as cranes, generators, boats and locomotives. It is also used for jet fuel.

"EPA appreciates American Airlines' prompt action in identifying and correcting these violations of the Clean Air Act. We also commend them for proposing environmental projects at Logan Airport that will contribute to cleaner air in Greater Boston," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "Using high sulfur fuel in motor vehicles can cause foul smoke and air pollution. We are glad that the airline recognized its mistake and took quick action - action that will benefit workers, travelers and residents who use the airport and live near the airport," he added.

Settling an enforcement action that began in 1998, American Airlines agreed to replace a dozen gas-powered belt-loaders at Logan with electric-powered belt loaders, which emit fewer air pollutants. The improvements are expected to remove nearly 700 tons of pollutants from the air annually at Logan.

The new belt loaders at Logan are expected to remove the following pollutants from the air annually: 644 tons of carbon monoxide, the equivalent of removing 11,000 cars from the roads; 21 tons of volatile organic compounds-the equivalent of 3,100 cars; 15 tons of nitrogen oxides--the equivalent of 2,300 cars; and 420 pounds of particulate matter--the equivalent of 160 cars. (These comparisons are based on cars meeting 1999 emissions standards).

These belt loaders will be added to a growing fleet of clean-fuel vehicles at Logan Airport, many of which were introduced in summer 1996 through the Clean Air Partners. This group of organizations led by EPA-New England is dedicated to bringing cleaner shuttle buses, water shuttles and ground service equipment to the airport.

"We are pleased that the EPA saw fit to include Logan International Airport as a beneficiary in this settlement," said Massport Executive Director and CEO Peter Blute. "Our partnership with the EPA has already resulted in dozens of new clean fuel vehicles at Logan and enhancements to the clean fuel infrastructure at Logan. The new electric belt loaders will help us reduce pollution and demonstrate to the airport community that clean fuels can work in an airport environment."

American first learned of its fuel violations after a routine inspection by the State of California in 1998. After that, the company did a voluntary audit of all its facilities and found the other violations.

Upon completing the self-audit last year, American Airlines reported to EPA that it had used jet fuel A, a high sulfur fuel, in 81 motor vehicles at 10 airports around the nation and had sold $1.3 million worth of this fuel to customers who may have used it to operate motor vehicles.

Although the law regulating fuel allows for penalties of up to $27,500 a day for each day of the violation, EPA's Audit Policy allowed the agency to take American's self-auditing into consideration when deciding on a penalty. A company must take certain actions to be eligible for consideration. Among them, it must make a prompt disclosure of violations; quickly correct violations; act to prevent recurrent violations; and remedy any harm that occurred as a result of violations.

EPA encourages other companies to take advantage of the Agency's Audit Policy. The Audit Policy substantially reduces, and in some cases eliminates, penalties for violations discovered and corrected by a company. The policy does not cover criminal violations or violations that resulted in actual significant harm to public health or the environment.

Use of high sulfur diesel increases emissions of small particulate matter, which can lead to severe lung problems, and increases susceptibility to respiratory infections such as pneumonia, aggravation of acute and chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Small particulate matter also contributes to the formation of the black smoke that is widely associated with diesel engines.