Chevron Settles Pollution Complaint at NJ Plant

New Jersey officials say Chevron U.S.A. has agreed to pay nearly $500,000 to resolve allegations that its asphalt refinery in Perth Amboy violated air pollution laws.

The settlement announced Wednesday calls for the state and the federal government to each get $231,875 from Chevron. But a federal judge must approve the deal before it becomes final.

A joint state-federal complaint alleged Chevron violated rules relating to leak detection and repair and record-keeping., It also claimed the firm installed equipment without first obtaining operating permits.

The settlement resolves those violations, as well as two prior administrative orders filed against the company in 2005 and 2008 for violations of the state's Pollution Control Act.

Chevron didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

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