WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Par Hawaii Refining and subsidiaries of Tesoro Corp. will pay $425 million to settle allegations of violating the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice have announced.
The money will go toward installing and operating pollution control equipment. Tesoro will also pay to fund environmental projects in local communities and pay a civil penalty.
“The advanced technologies Tesoro and Par are required to implement are the future for protecting people from toxic air emissions,” said Cynthia Giles, EPA assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance. "This settlement puts new enforcement ideas to work that will dramatically cut pollution and protect communities."
The settlement includes provisions to resolve alleged violations at refineries in Kenai, Alaska, Martinez, California, Kapolei, Hawaii, Mandan, North Dakota, Salt Lake City, and Anacortes, Washington.
“This settlement, achieved in partnership with states, will benefit the air quality in communities across the western United States,” said assistant attorney general John C. Cruden for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. "It uses cutting edge technology to address global environmental issues like climate change by controlling flaring and provides important reductions of harmful air pollution in communities facing environmental and health challenges.”