The Hunt Refining Co. and Hunt Southland Refining Co. have agreed to spend more than $48.5 million for new and upgraded pollution controls at three refineries, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
Alabama and Mississippi also participated in the agreement and will share with the EPA equal portions of a $400,000 civil penalty, the statement said.
The settlement resolves alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and is expected to reduce more than 1,250 tons of harmful emissions annually from the company's refineries in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and in the Mississippi towns of Sandersville and Lumberton, the statement said.
The three refineries covered by the settlement have the capacity to produce about 70,000 barrels of oil a day.
U.S. refineries have agreed to pay $5 billion in new pollution controls and $70 million in penalties, Ronald Tenpas, acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in the statement.
