Source: http://www.kallanishenergy.com, March 14, 2018
Three petroleum giants have agreed to pay the state of New Jersey $196.5 million to resolve their liability in a pollution case caused by a gasoline additive known as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), Kallanish Energy reports.
Sunoco has already paid New Jersey $64 million to resolve its liability for MTBE damages.
BP has agreed in a separate settlement to pay $64 million. It has paid $32 million to New Jersey. The deal covers BP America, BP Amoco Chemical, BP Corporation North America, BP Products North America and Atlantic Richfield.
Shell has agreed to pay $68.5 million. That deal covers Equilon Enterprises, Motiva Enterprises, Shell Oil Co., Shell Oil Products and Shell Trading (U.S.) Co.
Notice of the three proposed settlements was previously published in the New Jersey Register, said New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, in a statement released Monday.
The settlements were subject to a public comment period and have been approved by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
“These are important legal settlements on behalf of New Jersey citizens, not only in terms of dollars but in terms of sending a message that we are committed to working with the Department of Environmental Protection to protect our state’s natural resources and hold accountable companies that pollute,” Grewal said.
Sunoco, BP and Shell were among nearly 50 petroleum refiners, distributors and sellers of gasoline that were named in a 2007 lawsuit in which New Jersey sued for groundwater pollution from MTBE usage. The state said MTBE was detected in groundwater at sites across the state.
With the new agreements, New Jersey had reached settlements totaling $350 million in the case.