Valero, Amports Settle Over Petroleum Pollution in San Francisco

Valero Refining Co. and Amports Inc. agreed to pay $3.3 million to settle an environmental group’s suit over petroleum coke pollution in a tidal estuary that flows into the San Francisco Bay.

The companies will pay $2.38 million in grants towards projects benefiting San Francisco Bay conservation and reimburse San Francisco Baykeeper $875,000 in litigation costs, according to the consent decree signed Monday by Judge William H. Orrick of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Valero operates a crude oil petroleum refinery on a Port of Benicia property owned by Amports. San Francisco Baykeeper sued the ...