BP to pay Texas $50 million for refinery pollution

[The Straight Story]

BP to pay Texas $50 million for refinery pollution

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press – 7 hours ago

HOUSTON (AP) — BP will pay Texas $50 million after the sides reached an unprecedented settlement over air pollution violations at the beleaguered oil giant's Gulf Coast refinery, the site of a massive explosion in 2005 that killed 15 people.

The settlement announced Thursday coincides with BP PLC's attempts to restore its reputation and resolve lawsuits over the April 2010 rig explosion that killed 11 people and caused the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. It may also help BP find a buyer for the Texas City refinery since it will settle pollution liabilities with the state.

The agreement covers 72 emissions violations since the explosion. But some environmentalists note the decades-old refinery consistently has problems complying with basic environmental regulations, and any buyer would have to contend with the lingering problems of old, outdated equipment.

Still, BP Products North America and Texas both welcomed the agreement, with Attorney General Greg Abbott saying the dollar amount is a record-setter for the state's clean air act.

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