U.S. Navy Norfolk Naval Shipyard – Emissions Trend

Portsmouth, VA · 2019–2023 · Parent: US Department of Defense

This page assembles 5 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for U.S. Navy Norfolk Naval Shipyard, spanning 2019–2023. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 61.5K in 2019 and closed at 1.6K in 2023 – a decrease of 97.3% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Xylene (mixed isomers) at 53.9K, followed by n-Butyl alcohol at 33.9K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this other facility.

Overall Trend
↓ Decreasing (-97.3%)
2019 Total
61.5K lbs
2023 Total
1.6K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
012.3K24.6K36.9K49.2K61.5K 20192020202120222023 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 61.5K lbs 5 -
2020 34.1K lbs 3 -44.5%
2021 23.4K lbs 1 -31.4%
2022 2.1K lbs 1 -91.0%
2023 1.6K lbs 5 -22.2%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 20192020202120222023 Total
Xylene (mixed isomers) 15.2K 12.3K 23.4K 2.1K 870 53.9K
n-Butyl alcohol 18.5K 15.4K - - - 33.9K
Copper compounds 26.2K - - - - 26.2K
Lead 1.1K 6.4K - - 619 8.1K
Ethylene glycol 620 - - - - 620
Ethylbenzene - - - - 116 116
Toluene - - - - 25 25
Mercury - - - - 3 3

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is U.S. Navy Norfolk Naval Shipyard getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2023, U.S. Navy Norfolk Naval Shipyard's total toxic releases have decreased by approximately 97%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 5 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2023. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.