The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced Jan. 5 that Sunoco Refining and Marketing will pay $173,310 in civil penalties for violations at its Marcus Hook refinery in 2008.

“Sunoco reported several air emission releases in 2008 to our agency,” said Joseph A. Feola, DEP Southeast regional director.

He said that during that period the agency’s inspectors also found numerous air permit and storage tank breaches.

In May 2008, a boiler malfunction led to the release of 8.3 tons of carbon monoxide. Two incidents in June 2008 resulted in 18.1 tons of volatile organic compounds being released into the atmosphere, along with 1,300 gallons of oil. These incidents resulted in residential damage claims and odor complaints.

A compressor shutdown in December 2008 resulted in the release of 3.93 tons of nitrogen oxides and 8.09 tones of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. Storage tank violations noted in June, September and November 2008 involved seal problems and an oil leak not reported to DEP.

According to the news release, Sunoco was also cited for failing to perform various inspections of instruments, tank hatches and ventilation systems.