New EPA head drops action to fine Exxon for hydraulic discharges
Kaieteur News – The new Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sharifah Razack, has moved to drop fines against ExxonMobil for two hydraulic fluid spills that occurred in the Stabroek Block in 2020.
According to Razack, who spoke to Kaieteur News on March 9, both of these liquid spills occurred April 10 and May 9, 2020. He noted, however, that the volume of oil lost to the ocean was “small ”, The EPA revoked any intentions to fine the oil company.
“It’s really a barrel [EPA] consider a spill and not really a loss of five gallons, ”the head of the EPA told Kaieteur News.
He then went on to say that although a letter had been sent to Exxon stating that they had to pay a fine, a letter withdrawing the same was sent to the oil company in October 2020.
“But we stressed in our letter that they must avoid such incidents by paying attention to proper maintenance,” added Razack.
Notably, Kaieteur News had reported on August 2, 2020 that since it began producing oil in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil had six liquid spills, three of which occurred in 2020.
Although the spills are minor in nature, former EPA Director Dr. Vincent Adams, said he was very concerned about the “dangerous signal” these leaks send about ExxonMobil’s security culture and its approach to environmental breaches.
During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, Dr. Adams noted that the company was fined $ 100,000 (US $ 500) for each incident, bringing the total payment to $ 600,000 (US $ 3,000).
But what disappointed and intimidated him is the company’s opposition to paying the paltry fine. Dr. noted that Adams stated that the company had sought to present a case to underpin its objection as it stated that hydraulic fluid discharges were negligible and therefore had no significant impact on the environment.
“They make a case using that argument about the leaks small but that’s not my business … We maintain our position that they have to pay up. Our position is based on the law that says zero emissions and no emissions and if they refuse to comply, we will go to court, ”the head of the EPA had insisted.
Turning his attention to the cause of the leaks, Dr. Adams said they happened because of ExxonMobil’s failure to follow the manufacturer’s basic guidelines for a hose on the ship. He had said that the instructions were clear for conducting an inspection before use, but added that no such action had been taken.
It had also said that ExxonMobil was in breach of its license which states that it must follow manufacturers’ guidelines.
During his time as Director of the EPA, Dr. Adams has set out his intentions to take Exxon to court for the fines for refusing to pay them. When Kaieteur News spoke to Dr. Adams on Tuesday, had indicated that the documents to take Exxon were compiled and that it was only a matter of taking the company to court.