Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in reference to alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California, authorities stated Thursday.
The Texas-based firm is accused of discharging lots of of 1000’s of gallons of business wastewater containing extreme quantities of oil and grease, the U.S. Division of Justice stated.
The corporate allegedly dumped the wastewater from its Carson oil refinery into the Los Angeles County sewer system in 2020 and 2021 and didn’t report the violations, prosecutors stated.
Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clear Water Act and 4 counts of knowingly violating the Clear Water Act. The corporate faces as much as 5 years of probation on every depend and a most of $2.4 million in fines.
An arraignment date has not been set.
“Phillips 66 will proceed its cooperation with the U.S. Lawyer’s workplace and is ready to current its case in these issues in courtroom,” a spokesperson stated in a press release Thursday. “The corporate stays dedicated to working safely and defending the well being and security of our workers and the communities the place we function.”
Final month, Phillips introduced it might shut its Southern California refinery by the top of 2025, citing market issues. That refinery accounts for about 8% of California’s refining capability, based on the state’s Vitality Fee.
The corporate additionally operates a refinery close to San Francisco that accounts for about 5% of California’s refining capability, based on the state Vitality Fee.
—Stefanie Dazio, Related Press