SanLuisObispo.com
(USA): Shell subsidiary to pay $10.75 million in San Diego County: "A Shell Oil
Co. subsidiary will pay $10.75 million to settle environmental violations at its
gas stations in San Diego County under an agreement signed Wednesday.": "Equilon,
which is owned by Houston-based Shell Oil, operates about 6,600 stations
primarily in the western United States, including 62 in San Diego County.":
Posted Thursday 13 October 2005
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO - A Shell Oil Co. subsidiary will pay $10.75 million to settle
environmental violations at its gas stations in San Diego County under an
agreement signed Wednesday.
County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said the environmental health settlement
her office reached with Equilon Enterprises LLC was the largest ever in the
county. Equilon, which is owned by Houston-based Shell Oil, operates about 6,600
stations primarily in the western United States, including 62 in San Diego
County.
Equilon agreed to install tamper-resistant underground sensors at all San Diego
County Shell stations and create new management systems to help prevent future
problems.
Shell spokesman Shawn Frederick said the company was pleased with the
settlement.
"We take this matter very seriously and are committed to complete regulatory
compliance," Frederick said.
The county Department of Environmental Health said it issued about 2,200 notices
of environmental violation at Shell gas stations from 1999 to mid-2004. The
notices involved alleged violations of underground storage tank requirements,
hazardous waste laws and state unfair business practices.
County prosecutors began meeting with Equilon in September 2004 and soon entered
formal settlement talks.
Arco, BP Group PLC's West coast brand, reached the next largest $4 million
environmental settlement with the county in 2003. Arco paid an additional $2.1
million this year after it violated the terms of the agreement, said Deputy
District Attorney Karen I. Doty.
The final judgment was signed Wednesday by Superior Court Judge Richard E. L.
Strauss.
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