Exxon Fined $1.4 million for US Water Pollution

ExxonMobil Pipeline Company has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1.4 million for an alleged violation of the US Clean Water Act.

Charges brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DoJ)  date from a 2012 crude oil spill from ExxonMobil's North Line pipeline near Torbert, Louisiana. 

The complaint alleges that the US oil and petrochemicals giant discharged at least 2,800 barrels of crude oil in violation of the anti-water pollution legislation after a 20/22-inch-diamater pipeline ruptured near Torbert, some 20 miles from the state capital of Baton Rouge, spilling crude oil into the surrounding waters.

Exxon's penalty is in addition to the costs it incurred to respond to the oil spill and replace the segment of ruptured pipeline. The company is completing clean-up actions pursuant to an administrative order issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. 

It also continues to do follow-up work and to operate under a corrective action order issued by the US Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The penalty paid for the spill will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Fund Center. This fund is used to pay for federal response activities and compensate for damages when there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous substances.

The proposed consent decree, lodged in the Middle District of Louisiana, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval.