BP to Pay $81 Million in Emissions Suit

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The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Wednesday won a record $81-million settlement with oil giant BP, which regulators accused of spewing toxic gases from its Carson refinery for nearly a decade.


As part of the agreement between BP West Coast Productions and Southern California air quality officials, the company will pay $30 million over the next three decades toward public health programs in low-income neighborhoods affected by the emissions. BP admitted no wrongdoing.


Air quality management officials said 21 schools were affected by the alleged violations, which occurred mostly between 1991 and 2003. Officials said that in 2003 three schools went into lockdown to protect students from hydrogen sulfide gases, which can cause nausea, headaches and asthma attacks.

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