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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

State Says Citgo Dumped Slop Oil Into Water

LAKE CHARLES, La. (CN) - Citgo Petroleum Corp. violated environmental law by dumping 2.2 million gallons of slop oil into Louisiana waterways, the state and federal governments claim in Federal Court.

The slop oil allegedly came from two storage tanks and a containment berm at the waste water treatment area of Citgo's Lake Charles Refinery in Calcasieu Parish, La., contaminating the Indian Marais waterway, the Calcasieu River, the Calcasieu Ship Channel and other bodies of water.

Plaintiffs want Citgo to pay up to $1,100 for each of the 53,000 barrels of oil dumped into the water - or $4,300 per barrel if the pollution is found to be caused by "gross negligence or willful misconduct."

Louisiana also demands up to $32,000 for each day Citgo violated environmental law, plus an additional $1 million penalty if the discharge was intentional or endangers human life or health.

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