ExxonMobil to pay $2.9M to Mass. to resolve allegations of state pollution law violations

Mass. reaches $2.9M settlement with ExxonMobil

BOSTON — ExxonMobil Corp. and two affiliates have agreed to pay a $2.9 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that the company violated Massachusetts air pollution laws, the attorney general said Monday.

The judgment filed in Suffolk Superior Court requires ExxonMobil to reduce gasoline vapor emissions by updating and improving air pollution control systems at its bulk gasoline terminals in Everett and Springfield.

“Big oil can no longer marginalize environmental compliance while increasing their gasoline sales and distribution in Massachusetts,” said Laurie Burt, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Attorney General Martha Coakley alleged that between 1999 and 2001, and without the approval of Massachusetts environmental regulators, ExxonMobil made changes to the vapor collection and recovery system used to control emissions of volatile organic compounds at its Everett terminal.

Changes included the removal of certain emissions controls required under state air permits. ExxonMobil also failed to control VOC emissions during the degassing of a storage tank in Everett in 2008, Coakley said.

The state also alleged that ExxonMobil did not properly control emissions of VOCs from gasoline tank trucks during loading operations and failed to comply with emissions monitoring, repair and reporting requirements at both locations.

“While ExxonMobil does not agree with the state on the extent of alleged violations, we have entered into an agreement in an effort to resolve this matter and continue focusing on safe and environmentally responsible operations,” ExxonMobil spokeswoman Patty Errico said in a statement.

Bulk terminals are facilities where large quantities of gasoline are stored before distribution to gas stations.

ExxonMobil is based in Irving, Texas.