Americas News
Oil Terminal Operator Facing $117,000 Fine
A U.S. oil terminal operator is facing a $117,000 fine after allegedly shipping six times more crude oil than its permit allowed, local newspaper the Times-Union reports.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says Global Companies (Global), which handles shipments from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota, had a permit that allowed it to handle 50 million gallons of oil per year, but actually moved nearly 295 million gallons through the terminal.
The agency called the company's actions a "serious violation."
Global's executive vice president, Edward Faneuil, responded in a statement that the findings were "not accurate" and that the company would challenge them in a hearing.
"Operations at Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery are in full compliance with state environmental regulations," he said.
Surging oil production in the Bakken has led to increased demand for terminal capacity on the West Coast.
