It looks like BP will be opening its wallet once again. The energy company agreed to pay $15 million to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act in a Texas refinery case. The violations came at a refinery in Texas City, Texas, which had been hit by a number of scandals over the past few years. The Clean Air Act is a law outlines the responsibilities for the EPA with regard to maintaining the environment. The Clean Air Act was last updated by Amendment of 1990. Several minor changes have been made since then by the legislature.
The $15 million represents the largest Clean Air Act recovery at an individual facility. The pollution fine now leaves a total figure of $137 million recovered by the federal government from BP for violations involving fires and toxic leaks. The Texas City refinery first came under investigation after a 2005 explosion that killed 15 people and injured over 170, The New York Times reports. BP paid a $50 million fine to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for a number of violations related to the blast. As of 2009, the Texas attorney general had sued BP for violating the Clean Air Act 72 times in the previous five years.
However, this pollution fine is still only the beginning of the story. Texas City residents have filed a $10 billion class action lawsuit against BP. The case is likely to bring out further information regarding the practices at the notorious refinery.
Related Resources:
- On a Mission: In House Counsel Get Ready for New Emissions Regime (FindLaw’s In House)
- $10B Lawsuit Against BP Over TX Refinery Emissions (FindLaw’s Injured)
- Chef Susan Spicer Brings Class Action Against BP (FindLaw’s Free Enterprise)
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