EPA Enforcement Action Addresses Clean Air Act Issues at New Haven, Conn. Biodiesel Facility

September 26, 2025

Contact Information

Vikram Lakshmanan (Lakshmanan.Vikram@epa.gov)

(978) 893-8809

Region 1 Press Office (R1_Press@epa.gov)

BOSTON (September 25, 2025) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an agreement with American GreenFuels, LLC that resolves an alleged violation of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at the company's biodiesel production facility in New Haven, Connecticut. EPA found that American GreenFuels failed to properly operate its facility to adequately comply with CAA requirements over a two-year period beginning in August 2020.

"Protecting human health and the environment is EPA's core mission," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "The agreement with American GreenFuels will better protect Connecticut residents and local air quality."

American GreenFuels' New Haven facility produces biodiesel with used vegetable oil, animal fats, methanol, sulfuric acid, and sodium methoxide. Based on inspections of the facility and additional information provided by American GreenFuels, EPA found that the facility failed to control the release of certain air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), during system repairs and maintenance from August 2020 to August 2022. American GreenFuels will pay a $143,000 penalty to resolve the alleged violation, and, to EPA's knowledge, the facility is now in compliance with CAA regulations.

A detailed summary of the alleged violation can be found in the consent agreement, which is available from EPA upon request.

Why this matters:

VOCs include a variety of chemicals that are emitted from various sources, including industrial processes. VOCs are a key precursor in the formation of ground level ozone that can degrade the air we breathe. People at greatest risk of harm from breathing air containing ozone are people with asthma, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors, especially outdoor workers.