Exxon Mobil Corp. has agreed to pay $6.1 million in civil penalties for allegedly not fully complying with a 2005 federal agreement. Under that 2005 deal, Exxon agreed to spend $571 million on pollution-control equipment at seven refineries, pay a $7.7 million civil penalty and spend $6.7 million on other environmental community projects.

But the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency alleged Wednesday that Exxon failed to monitor and control the sulfur content in certain fuel gas streams burned in refinery furnaces at four of the refineries in question. The sulfur content ended up exceeding EPA limits.

The agencies said the latest fine was part of a broader initiative to cut air pollution from refineries. They noted that more than 86% have been required to install controls to reduce emissions.

Source:Carlines2008-6.34
VECC December 25, 2008