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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are from time to time subject to lawsuits, investigations and claims, including environmental claims and employee-related matters. Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against us, including civil penalties or other enforcement actions, we do not believe that any currently pending legal proceeding or proceedings to which we are a party will have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. See "Crude Oil and Other Releases" below for discussion of an enforcement action.
Environmental, Health and Safety
We are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations enforced by various agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"), the United States Department of Transportation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as numerous state, regional and local environmental, safety and pipeline agencies. These laws and regulations govern the discharge of materials into the environment, waste management practices and pollution prevention measures, as well as the safe operation of our pipelines and the safety of our workers and the public. Numerous permits or other authorizations are required under these laws and regulations for the operation of our terminals, pipelines, saltwells, trucks and related operations, and may be subject to revocation, modification and renewal.
These laws and permits raise potential exposure to future claims and lawsuits involving environmental and safety matters, which could include soil, surface water and groundwater contamination, air pollution, personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by substances which we may have handled, used, released or disposed of, transported, or that relate to pre-existing conditions for which we may have assumed responsibility. We believe that our current operations are in substantial compliance with existing environmental and safety requirements. However, there have been and we expect that there will continue to be ongoing discussions about environmental and safety matters between us and federal and state authorities, including the receipt and response to notices of violations, citations and other enforcement actions, some of which have resulted or may result in changes to operating procedures and in capital expenditures. While it is often difficult to quantify future environmental or safety related expenditures, we anticipate that continuing capital investments and changes in operating procedures will be required to comply with existing and new requirements, as well as evolving interpretations and enforcement of existing laws and regulations.
Releases of hydrocarbons or hazardous substances into the environment could, to the extent the event is not insured, or is not a reimbursable event under the Omnibus Agreement, subject us to substantial expenses, including costs to respond to, contain and remediate a release, to comply with applicable laws and regulations and to resolve claims by governmental agencies or other persons for personal injury, property damage, response costs, or natural resources damages.
Crude Oil and Other Releases
During the year ended December 31, 2021, there was one significant release of finished product, involving one of our pipelines and it occurred in August 2021. This release of finished product from our Greenville pipeline occurred near Dixon, Texas (the "Greenville Dixon Release"). Cleanup operations, site maintenance and remediation on this release are currently on-going. Costs incurred as of December 31, 2021 totaled $2.7 million. Additionally, as of December 31, 2021 we have accrued $0.8 million for remediation and other potential costs related to this release. The impacted area is undergoing remedial measures that will be protective of human health and the environment, including groundwater, under the oversight of Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (the "TCEQ").
On October 3, 2019, a release of diesel fuel involving one of our pipelines occurred near Sulphur Springs, Texas (the "Sulphur Springs Release"). Cleanup operations and site maintenance and remediation on this release have been substantially completed. Remedial costs incurred totaled $7.1 million during 2019 and $0.5 million during 2020. In the fourth quarter of 2020 we submitted an actual property assessment report that assessed site conditions and recommended closure of the site. Closure of the site was approved in the fourth quarter of 2020 by the TCEQ. The groundwater monitoring wells were abandoned and removed in the second quarter of 2021 in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. We filed suit in January 2020 against a third party contractor, seeking damages related to this release; two related actions were filed in November and December 2020 by and against the contractor's insurance company seeking judgments related to insurance coverage. We have not received notification that any legal action with respect to fines and penalties will be pursued by the regulatory agencies.
For other releases that occurred in prior years, we have received regulatory closure or a majority of the cleanup and remediation efforts are substantially complete. We expect regulatory closure in 2021 for the release sites that have not yet received it and do not anticipate material costs associated with any fines or penalties or additional remedial activities that may be needed to achieve regulatory closure.
Regulatory authorities could require additional remediation based on the results of our remediation efforts. We may incur additional expenses as a result of further scrutiny by regulatory authorities and continued compliance with laws and regulations to which our assets are subject. As of December 31, 2021, we have accrued $0.3 million for remediation and other such matters related to these releases.
Expenses incurred for the remediation of these crude oil and other releases are included in operating expenses in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The majority of our releases have been subsequently reimbursed by Delek Holdings pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, with the exception of the Sulphur Springs Release above as it is not covered under the Omnibus Agreement. Reimbursements are recorded as a reduction to operating expense. We do not believe the total costs associated with these events, whether alone or in the aggregate, including any fines or penalties and net of available insurance, indemnification or reimbursement, will have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition or results of operations
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the crude oil and other releases remediation expenses, net of reimbursable costs, were immaterial.