Chevron Corporation

Chevron U.S.A. Inc. entered a nationwide settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice and Mississippi environmental authorities addressing accident-prevention and safety requirements at its petroleum refineries. The settlement followed investigations into serious incidents at Chevron refineries. EPA's investigation was initially triggered by an August 6, 2012 fire at Chevron's Richmond, California refinery. High-temperature hydrocarbons were released from the refinery's crude unit and ignited. According to EPA, the fire endangered 19 employees, caused local authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order and resulted in approximately 15,000 residents seeking medical attention. During EPA's investigation, further accidental releases occurred at other Chevron refineries. A 2013 explosion and fire at Chevron's Pascagoula, Mississippi refinery caused the death of employee Tonya Graddy. Another 2013 incident at the company's El Segundo, California refinery involved a rupture that caused a loss of power and flaring. The federal government alleged violations of Clean Air Act requirements governing chemical accident prevention and risk-management programs. Under the settlement Chevron agreed to make extensive safety improvements at refineries in California, Mississippi, Utah and Hawaii. The overall value of the settlement exceeded $160 million. Chevron also agreed to pay a $2.95 million civil penalty and undertake at least $10 million in supplemental environmental projects benefiting communities surrounding its refineries. EPA described the resolution as the largest settlement in the history of its enforcement of the Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan Rule at the time. Primary source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — EPA, Justice Department and State of Mississippi Reach Settlement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Requiring Nationwide Safety and Chemical Accident Prevention Measures: https://www.epa.gov/archive/epa/newsreleases/epa-justice-department-and-state-mississippi-reach-settlement-chevron-usa-inc-requiring.html