International business briefs: Shell fined millions, Bank announces CSR move, Arctic drilling fight goes on, World must combat energy problems, EPA issues energy challenge
Motiva Enterprises LLC has pleaded guilty to negligently endangering workers at its former refinery in Delaware City, discharging pollutants into the Delaware River and negligently releasing sulfuric acid into the air, both in violation of the Clean Air Act. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Chief US District Judge Sue L. Robinson immediately sentenced Motiva to pay a fine of $10 million and to serve a three-year term of probation. Motiva, an oil refining and retail business owned by Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining, Inc, refines and markets gasoline to approximately 9,400 Shell-branded and Texaco-branded gasoline stations. Together with Shell Oil Company, Motiva ranks as a leading refiner in the United States. They collectively account for about 10% of the total US refining capacity and a market-leading 13% share of US gasoline sales. In July 2001 a 415,000-gallon capacity tank at Motiva's Delaware City Refinery exploded while containing spent sulfuric acid. The explosion killed one worker and injured numerous others. Spent sulfuric acid from the tank farm spilled into the Delaware River, resulting in thousands of dead fish and crabs.