Operators of Tesoro refinery in Martinez fined $27.5M by EPA
MARTINEZ - The operators of a oil refinery in Contra Costa County have agreed to pay $27.5 million for violating a 2016 agreement to reduce air pollution at the facility, federal regulators announced Thursday.
Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co. of Los Angeles was penalized for violating a consent decree at its refinery in Martinez, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement.
Tesoro failed to install adequate pollution controls and failed to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) that contribute to smog, the agencies said.
The settlement will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and other air pollutants by hundreds of tons each year, regulators said.
"As this settlement shows, EPA will seek substantial penalties when companies delay installing appropriate pollution controls to meet environmental obligations," said a statement from Larry Starfield, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
Tesoro was acquired by Marathon Petroleum Corp. in 2018.
"Marathon has a demonstrated history of continually improving our environmental performance across our operations, and we are committed to protecting the environment we all share," the company said in a statement. ""The origins of this matter predate Marathon Petroleum Corporation's acquisition of the Martinez refinery, and we are glad to have resolved this matter with the U.S. government."
