A Louisiana oil refinery that emitted toxic air vapors and chemical waste was named as the subject of a recent oil refinery pollution lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that the EPA failed to protect residents by failing to set pollution standards in line with the most recent technologies. Among the companies named as defendants are Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Suncor, and Occidental Petroleum. Here’s a closer look at each company’s alleged role in the smog and pollution caused by its refinery.
Exxon Mobil
The environmental organization Environment Texas filed a lawsuit against Exxon in the U.S. in 2010, and the lawsuit has reached a critical stage. Environmental organizations claim the oil giant hid environmental damage by spending millions of dollars on public relations and advertising while understanding the impact of climate change on their profits. An appeals court remanded the case, but the company is still considering its options.
The ExxonMobil case followed the Shell Oil Deer Park refinery and Chevron Phillips Chemical Cedar Bayou plant. These three cases were successfully settled by the same judge but were filed months apart. Ultimately, a jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs in the ExxonMobil lawsuit. Although the company has resisted settlement offers to pay damages, the case demonstrates the need for environmental protection and justice.
Chevron
A Chevron Oil Refinery Pollution Lawsuit may be the answer to your needs. This multi-billion-dollar corporation has been responsible for several accidents and toxic releases at its facilities. The company also has been accused of failing to clean up the area of several leaks and fires. Several years ago, Chevron promised to bury the nitrogen during the liquefying process but has failed to meet its promise.
The lawsuit aims to hold Chevron accountable for the environmental damages and economic losses caused by the company’s operations. This includes damage caused to the ecosystem, economic loss, and interference with residents’ rights. The lawsuit is also seeking restitution for emergency response costs and damage to reputation. Although Chevron has tried to have the lawsuit dismissed, it is still scheduled to go to trial on February 26. In the meantime, the community can continue to work toward clean-up efforts.
Suncor
The state of Colorado has approved a settlement in a lawsuit brought against Suncor Oil Refinery over its polluting activities. The company agreed to pay $1.8 million to resolve the suit brought by the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State of Colorado. Although the company has cleaned up the spill, it may not be enough to prevent further contamination. The company paid $123,000 in July.
State air quality officials issued a compliance advisory against the company after inspecting the refinery in Commerce City. They said the company had 114 violations of air quality standards. After the incident, Suncor ordered employees inside, causing ash dust to settle across the community. In the meantime, schools in the vicinity of the refinery were put on lockdown. Suncor did not respond to a request for comment.
Exxon Mobil’s refinery in Baton Rouge
A New Orleans-based environmental law firm is arguing that the company should be held responsible for the cleanup of benzene at its oil refinery. Last year, Exxon Mobil disclosed an enormous benzene leak after state regulators discovered the pollution. The lawsuit contends that the company failed to notify the public about the leak, or did not properly mitigate the spill. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality is investigating whether Exxon acted properly by failing to warn of the benzene leak.
Exxon Mobil has been settling environmental pollution claims throughout the United States for nearly a decade. In July 2010, the company filed a Suit in S.D. Tex. to recover $45 million in cleanup costs. In April of this year, a second lawsuit was filed, this time in Baton Rouge, for cleanup costs associated with its oil refinery in the city.
Chevron’s refinery in Limetree Bay
A lawsuit alleging pollution caused by Chevron’s refinery in Limetere Bay has reached a settlement, which will result in the company paying a $132,676 civil penalty to the state of Washington. EPA inspectors found that Chevron violated the federal RCRA rules and failed to maintain certifications for tanks storing hazardous waste. The refinery also failed to keep records of its compliance with the RCRA Air Emissions Requirements.
The refinery has a complicated history. In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered the refinery to shut down, which led to a massive pollution disaster on the island. The refinery suffocated its neighbors with noxious odors. The refinery has been engulfed in class-action lawsuits and litigation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently filed a citation listing 19 serious violations and proposed a fine of $2 million.
