PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE / REFUGIO BEACH OIL SPILL
This settlement relates to a 2015 pipeline rupture occurring near Santa Barbara, California that discharged 2,934 barrels of heavy crude oil onto Refugio State Beach and into the Pacific Ocean. Settlement terms include: 1) $24 million in penalties; 2) nation-wide injunctive relief applied to Plains All American Pipeline’s (Plains) operations and system; 3) approximately $32 million in natural resource damages and assessment costs; and 4) reimbursement of response costs. Parties participating in the settlement include Plains, Department of Justice; Department of Transportation (PHMSA); Environmental Protection Agency; Department of the Interior; Department of Commerce (NOAA); Coast Guard; CA Attorney General’s Office; CA Department of Fish and Wildlife; CA State Lands Commission; CA Department of Parks and Recreation; CA Regional Water Quality Control Board; CA Office of the State Fire Marshal; and CA University of California Regents.
ROCKETS, FIREWORKS & FLARES SUPERFUND SITE
These settlements relate to the Rockets, Fireworks, and Flares Superfund Site located in San Bernardino County, California, which impacted groundwater by the disposal of perchlorate and other substances. This case involved governmental agencies, corporations, individuals, domestic and international estates, and primary and excess insurance companies. Six consent decrees were entered by the District Court, which included monetary settlements and pre-Record of Decision commitments to remediate the site. Parties participating in the settlements include Department of Justice; Environmental Protection Agency; Department of Defense; Emhart Industries, Inc.; Black & Decker, Inc.; Pyro Spectaculars, Inc.; Honeywell Corporation; Goodrich Corporation; County of San Bernardino; Estate of Chung Ming Wong; American Promotional Events, Inc.; City of Colton; Kwikset Locks, Inc.
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS / COMMONWEALTH UTILITIES CORPORATION
These settlements involve the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and its utility, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, which are rebuilding their oil, power, drinking water, and wastewater operations and infrastructure. Successfully completed projects and improvements under District Court/Department of Justice/Environmental Protection Agency oversight include: 1) availability of 24-hour drinking water to the community increased from 26 percent to 100 percent; 2) leaking oil pipeline from the port to the main power plant replaced; 3) deteriorating oil storage tanks replaced or repaired; 4) secondary containment facilities constructed; 5) wastewater treatment plants repaired; 6) contaminated soils and groundwater remediated; 7) chlorine supplies and storage secured; 8) incinerator and associated equipment installed; 9) power plant oil water separator systems installed; and 10) financial requirements, long term capital projects, and hiring qualifications established. Parties participating in the settlements include Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
M/V COSCO BUSAN OIL SPILL
This settlement relates to the freighter M/V Cosco Busan striking the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge and discharging 53,000 gallons of bunker oil into the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Notwithstanding complex civil and criminal litigation in federal and state venues, a settlement was reached among the governmental agencies and the shipping interests. The settlement included the payment of $44.4 million in natural resource damages and assessment costs. Participating parties included M/V Cosco Busan (in rem); John J. Cota; Regal Stone Limited; Fleet Management Ltd.; Department of Justice; Department of the Interior; Department of Commerce (NOAA); Coast Guard; CA Attorney General’s Office; CA Department of Fish and Game; CA State Lands Commission; City and County of San Francisco; City of Richmond; and East Bay Regional Parks District.
CASMALIA RESOURCES SUPERFUND SITE
These settlements relate to the Casmalia Resources Superfund Site located north of Santa Barbara, California, where the former owner/operator disposed in excess of five billion pounds of liquid and solid hazardous waste. Settlement efforts include five consent decrees and 13 administrative orders on consent with more than 2,000 participating parties. The settlements include significant RD/RA work requirements and approximately $119 million in cash-out funding. Parties participating in the settlements include corporations, small businesses, individuals, trusts, estates, federal agencies, state agencies, and local governments.
CITY OF SAN DIEGO SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM
This settlement involves the City of San Diego’s wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary sewer overflows, and Clean Water Act compliance. The settlement includes San Diego undertaking comprehensive improvements to the wastewater system and program, including: 1) replacing or repairing 450 miles of pipeline; 2) constructing and repairing pump stations; 3) conducting a comprehensive sewer cleaning program; 4) performing annual root control for at least 500 miles of pipeline; 5) imposing stringent pipeline and manhole inspections; 6) instituting a FOG program; and 7) conducting economic and environmental analyses. Parties participating in the settlement include San Diego, San Diego Baykeeper, Surfrider Foundation, Department of Justice, and EPA.
PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE / REFUGIO BEACH OIL SPILL
This settlement relates to a 2015 pipeline rupture occurring near Santa Barbara, California that discharged 2,934 barrels of heavy crude oil onto Refugio State Beach and into the Pacific Ocean. Settlement terms include: 1) $24 million in penalties; 2) nation-wide injunctive relief applied to Plains All American Pipeline’s (Plains) operations and system; 3) approximately $32 million in natural resource damages and assessment costs; and 4) reimbursement of response costs. Parties participating in the settlement include Plains, Department of Justice; Department of Transportation (PHMSA); Environmental Protection Agency; Department of the Interior; Department of Commerce (NOAA); Coast Guard; CA Attorney General’s Office; CA Department of Fish and Wildlife; CA State Lands Commission; CA Department of Parks and Recreation; CA Regional Water Quality Control Board; CA Office of the State Fire Marshal; and CA University of California Regents.
ROCKETS, FIREWORKS & FLARES SUPERFUND SITE
These settlements relate to the Rockets, Fireworks, and Flares Superfund Site located in San Bernardino County, California, which impacted groundwater by the disposal of perchlorate and other substances. This case involved governmental agencies, corporations, individuals, domestic and international estates, and primary and excess insurance companies. Six consent decrees were entered by the District Court, which included monetary settlements and pre-Record of Decision commitments to remediate the site. Parties participating in the settlements include Department of Justice; Environmental Protection Agency; Department of Defense; Emhart Industries, Inc.; Black & Decker, Inc.; Pyro Spectaculars, Inc.; Honeywell Corporation; Goodrich Corporation; County of San Bernardino; Estate of Chung Ming Wong; American Promotional Events, Inc.; City of Colton; Kwikset Locks, Inc.
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN UTILITIES CORPORATION / MARIANA ISLANDS
These settlements involve the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and its utility, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, which are rebuilding their oil, power, drinking water, and wastewater operations and infrastructure. Successfully completed projects and improvements under District Court/Department of Justice/Environmental Protection Agency oversight include: 1) availability of 24-hour drinking water to the community increased from 26 percent to 100 percent; 2) leaking oil pipeline from the port to the main power plant replaced; 3) deteriorating oil storage tanks replaced or repaired; 4) secondary containment facilities constructed; 5) wastewater treatment plants repaired; 6) contaminated soils and groundwater remediated; 7) chlorine supplies and storage secured; 8) incinerator and associated equipment installed; 9) power plant oil water separator systems installed; and 10) financial requirements, long term capital projects, and hiring qualifications established. Parties participating in the settlements include Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
M/V COSCO BUSAN OIL SPILL
This settlement relates to the freighter M/V Cosco Busan striking the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge and discharging 53,000 gallons of bunker oil into the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Notwithstanding complex civil and criminal litigation in federal and state venues, a settlement was reached among the governmental agencies and the shipping interests. The settlement included the payment of $44.4 million in natural resource damages and assessment costs. Participating parties included M/V Cosco Busan (in rem); John J. Cota; Regal Stone Limited; Fleet Management Ltd.; Department of Justice; Department of the Interior; Department of Commerce (NOAA); Coast Guard; CA Attorney General’s Office; CA Department of Fish and Game; CA State Lands Commission; City and County of San Francisco; City of Richmond; and East Bay Regional Parks District.
CASMALIA RESOURCES SUPERFUND SITE
These settlements relate to the Casmalia Resources Superfund Site located north of Santa Barbara, California, where the former owner/operator disposed in excess of five billion pounds of liquid and solid hazardous waste. Settlement efforts include five consent decrees and 13 administrative orders on consent with more than 2,000 participating parties. The settlements include significant RD/RA work requirements and approximately $119 million in cash-out funding. Parties participating in the settlements include corporations, small businesses, individuals, trusts, estates, federal agencies, state agencies, and local governments.
CITY OF SAN DIEGO SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM
This settlement involves the City of San Diego’s wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary sewer overflows, and Clean Water Act compliance. The settlement includes San Diego undertaking comprehensive improvements to the wastewater system and program, including: 1) replacing or repairing 450 miles of pipeline; 2) constructing and repairing pump stations; 3) conducting a comprehensive sewer cleaning program; 4) performing annual root control for at least 500 miles of pipeline; 5) imposing stringent pipeline and manhole inspections; 6) instituting a FOG program; and 7) conducting economic and environmental analyses. Parties participating in the settlement include San Diego, San Diego Baykeeper, Surfrider Foundation, Department of Justice, and EPA.