2009 - BP America, BPXA may be fined $500m for repeated violations

BP America, BPXA may be fined $500m for repeated violations

The U.S. government has reportedly filed a civil lawsuit against BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc (BPXA) for violating U.S. clean air and water laws, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

BPXA is accused of illegally discharging at least 260,000 gallons (~ 1 million liters) of crude oil “from its pipelines in Prudhoe Bay onto the North Slope of Alaska during two major oil spills in the spring and summer of 2006.” Reuters reporetd.

According to the suit, BPXA also failed to employ proper spill prevention measures as stipulated by the Clean Water Act.

http://feww.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/us-govt-sues-bp-america/

State sues BP claiming environmental violations

By T.J. Aulds
The Daily News

Published June 5, 2009
TEXAS CITY — The Texas Attorney General has accused BP Products North America of repeated violations of environmental laws at its Texas City refinery.

During a press conference Thursday, Attorney General Greg Abbott outlined the enforcement action listing 15 enforcement orders and 46 environmental violations against BP Texas City by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The alleged violations occurred between 2002 and 2007 at the refinery, the attorney general said.

“BP Products is charged with polluting our environment, concealing information from authorities and harming Texans,” Abbott said.

In addition to seeking an injunction against BP to force immediate improvements, the attorney general said the state was seeking financial penalties for the violations that could exceed $100 million.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=a2f0c9623840b5f2

A drop in the bucket compared to the billions of dollars in lost tourism, the blow to the fishing industry, and the priceless value of the poisoned wetlands and beaches.