BP fined by US environmental regulator

BP has agreed to pay $786,000 (£567,000) in fines imposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following violation of reporting requirements at its Texas refinery.

In a statement released this week, the EPA said that BP Products North American had agreed to pay the penalty for failing to complete and submit information about the release of toxic chemicals from the plant.

"This settlement addresses the company’s non-compliance with Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA) reporting requirements by failing to complete and submit toxic chemical release inventory information to EPA and the State of Texas for the period 2002-2005, and failure to maintain reporting records for calendar year 2004," the EPA stated.

Under the terms of the settlement, BP has agreed to pay $420,662 in civil penalties and spend a further $365,000 on environmental projects in Texas City. "The $365,000 in supplemental environmental projects are intended to improve Texas City’s ability to respond to emergency releases that threaten human health or the environment and include an ambulance, upgrade of the city’s computer system, communications equipment and an Optigon system to assist with traffic control during emergencies," the EPA stated.

According to the EPA, the toxic chemicals covered by the EPCRA regulations include cobalt compounds, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, formaldehyde, and lead compounds.

Last month BP was criticised by environmental group Greenpeace for continuing to invest money in marketing its green credentials while simultaneously cutting investment and jobs in its alternative energy division.

"Despite axing staff and pulling investment from the division, BP has continued to spend heavily on a worldwide advertising campaign which gives the false impression that alternative energy represents a core part of the company's business," the statement said.