BP to Pay Texas $50 Million For Air Quality Violations

BP Products North America Inc. officials have agreed to pay Texas $50 million for air pollution violations at its Texas City refinery.

The announcement came Thursday as both parties finally settled a civil suit that was first filed in 2009 and then later amended, criticizing the British energy company for allowing the release of 500,000 total pounds of air pollutants since March 2005, according to a release published on Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott's website.

The suit, which had 74 separate claims against the company, criticized BP on how it managed the refinery.

The recent historical record at the BP Refinery reveals a pattern of unnecessary and unlawful Emissions Events, according to the suit. BP's poor operation and maintenance of the Refinery are the primary cause of these Emissions Events.

The civil suit also cited the company for violating air emission laws when an explosion rocked the company's Texas refinery, killing 15 and injuring more than 170 workers, according to Abbott's release.

The proposed agreement reflects the State's commitment to protecting air quality and holding polluters accountable for illegal emissions, said Abbott.

Of the $50 million to be paid, the company must also cover $500,000 in court fees accrued by the state.