Shell To Pay $165K In Martinez Refinery Violations: Air District

MARTINEZ, CA — The Shell Oil Company has agreed to pay $165,000 as part of an agreement with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District regarding air quality violations at their refinery in Martinez in 2015 and 2016, according to air district officials.

The settlement, which the district announced Thursday, addresses 16 violations over two years including sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide emissions, a shelter-in-place order, a cargo vessel tank that was overdue for emissions inspections and broken seals on a liquid storage tank.

"Bay Area refineries are subject to stringent national, state and local air quality regulations which are enforced by the Air District," air district Executive Officer Jack Broadbent said in a statement.

"Dedicated air quality inspectors do regular inspections to help ensure that violations are corrected quickly air quality is protected."

The revenues generated by the settlement will be used by the district to fund monitoring and enforcement activities.

According to CNBC, Shell Oil posted earnings of $3.8 billion in 2016 and $3.5 billion in 2016.

By Bay City News Service