TUMWATER — Washington state regulators have fined Shell Oil Products $77,000 after an investigation found that it failed to control a toxic release.
The Department of Labor and Industries said Friday that they began investigating Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes after learning that the refinery’s main flare released contaminates into the environment.
The release prompted complaints about the odor by people living nearby.
A refinery flare is designed to burn off waste gases and vapors not used in production. It also helps to prevent fires. But the flare must be decontaminated and shut down periodically for maintenance.
Inspectors found that Shell had skipped critical decontamination steps while shutting down the main flare.
The uncontrolled release exposed workers to toxic substances.
Shell spokesman Ray Fisher says they don’t agree with allegations and are evaluating their legal options. He says they treat health and safety with the utmost seriousness and will cooperate with the state. Fisher says they’re taking corrective actions and recently completed maintenance work on the flare system safely and without odor complaints.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
