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The energy giant Chevron is to pay a fine in California.
Chevron has agreed on the 21st (local time) to pay a fine of over $13 million for dozens of oil spill incidents in California in the past, marking the largest fine ever imposed on the company.
David Shabazian, Director of the California Department of Conservation, stated in a press release, “This settlement is significant evidence of California’s determination to hold oil companies accountable for not adhering to state regulations and environmental protection, and its intention to transition away from fossil fuels.”
He stated, “Most of the fines will be used for projects to secure and preserve habitats, some will go to the contaminated wildlife care network of the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and some will be used to respond to future oil spill incidents.”
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In 2019, a minimum of 800,000 gallons (approximately 3 million liters) of oil and water from Chevron spilled into the valley of Kern County, the home of the state oil industry.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response, the spill by Chevron of more than 446,000 gallons (1.6 million liters) of oil and over 1.48 million gallons (5.6 million liters) of water resulted in the death or injury of at least 63 animals. They impacted at least 6 acres (2.4 hectares) of pine and grassland habitats.
Chevron has already paid to clean up the spill and agreed to pay a $5.6 million fine. The company also agreed to pay a $7.5 million fine for more than 70 minor spills from 2018 to 2023.
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