The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control says its permits for the Bakersfield Crude Terminal near Taft are valid, despite claims otherwise by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Spokeswoman Jaime Holt says 10 violation notices were received by the district.

“We feel very strongly that the EPA has made some errors in understanding the applicable requirements and rules,” she said.

Environmental group Earthjustice says a June 5 court date has been set to try to get the terminal shut down until another environmental review can be conducted.

Attorney Elizabeth Forsyth says the trains aren’t safe.

“This facility has significant air impacts, it impacts significant quantities of volatile organic compounds, and it has significant rail-safety impacts,” she said

The crude-by-rail facility, which started accepting mile-long trains last year, is being allowed to stay open. Facility-operator Plains All-American Pipeline is not commenting until it formally receives the violation notice.

– Anthony Pollreisz