BP West Coast Products Case Settlement
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BP West Coast Products Case Settles for $2,542,000
In November 2017, BP West Coast Products paid $2,542,000 in penalties for negligently supplying gasoline in violation of California reformulated gasoline regulations. From February 4 to March 19, 2009, BP supplied approximately 64,000,000 gallons of fuel that exceeded the reported total aromatics from its Cherry Point facility. California’s motor vehicle fuel regulation allows gasoline supplied within the state to contain aromatics in accordance with producer/importer specifications. Enforcement staff discovered the violation through routine inspections and sampling. The California gasoline from ten vessel shipments was analyzed and found to exceed their respective Predictive Model total aromatics content limits. The noncompliant fuel involved 76 marine vessel compartments of fuel plus 23 service station retail sales. These violations occurred as a result of erroneous aromatics readings from BPs laboratory equipment due to improper sample preparation. BP has since improved their laboratory practices and maintained compliance with California reformulated gasoline regulations.