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Tesoro Penalized For EPA Violations At Fuel Refineries

EPA

San Antonio-based Tesoro Corporation has agreed to a settlement to resolve claims that it failed to comply with regulations under the Clean Air Act.

While the $1.1 million penalty seems low, the Environmental Protection Agency called the settlement the largest penalty for these types of violations in the history of the fuels program. 

On Thursday the EPA announced the fine against Tesoro and Tesoro Alaska for violations at four of its conventional gasoline refineries in Utah, Washington, North Dakota and Alaska.

The agency said Tesoro’s failure to sample and test gasoline according to proper procedures, failure to maintain records, and failure to submit required reports to the EPA are considered significant violations that make it impossible for the EPA to create a level playing field for all refiners.

The EPA said in its statement that no known damage to the environment or to human health is associated with Tesoro’s violations.

Under the agreement, Tesoro also must come up with a compliance plan to prevent violations in the future.

The agreement is subject to a public comment period before it goes back to the court for final approval.

Eileen Pace is a veteran radio and print journalist with a long history of investigative and feature reporting in San Antonio and Houston, earning more than 50 awards for investigative reporting, documentaries, long-form series, features, sports stories, outstanding anchoring and best use of sound.