Air District fines Kinder Morgan, Inc. $226,990 for air quality violations

A fuel terminal is a large storage and distribution facility where fuel is stored in tanks before being shipped to gas stations or other sites.

Air quality regulations are intended to reduce harmful emissions such as volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause public health issues and environmental degradation. They also ensure compliance with federal, state and local air quality standards.

This penalty addresses eight Notices of Violation issued by the Air District in 2022 and 2023. The violations include:

• Gaps in tank roofs at the Richmond terminal
• Exceeding a fuel storage limit at a tank at the Richmond terminal
• Viewports that were smaller than allowed by regulation on a tank roof at the Richmond terminal
• A 10-gallon gasoline spill at the San Jose terminal
• Two vapor leaks at the San Jose terminal

All violations included in this case have been corrected.

The Air District issues Notices of Violation when a facility violates a specific air quality regulation or rule. Violators are required to correct the problem and pay a monetary penalty based on the seriousness of the violation. Corrective actions may include shutting down certain operations or modifying operations or equipment to achieve compliance.

In 2024, the Bay Area Air District’s Board of Directors adopted a policy directing a portion of collected penalty funds to be used in the community that is impacted by the violation. These funds will support local projects aimed at reducing pollution and improving public health.

View Penalties and Settlements web page.