Regional Board Files $8.5 Million Complaint Against Greka Energy

The company is accused of failing to comply with a cleanup and abatement order; a hearing will be held in Santa Barbara in October.

By John Mann | Posted on 07.22.2008

  • E-mail
  • Print this page Print
  • Comments
    • Share

Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, announced Tuesday that the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Coast Region has filed an $8.5 million complaint against Greka Energy for its failure to comply with a cleanup and abatement order issued Dec. 20, 2006.

The board filed the complaint over Greka Energy’s failure to comply with the order for its leases at Casmalia, Cat Canyon, Santa Maria Valley and Zaca oil fields. The complaint accuses Greka of violating the requirements of the order by failing to properly remove hazardous wastes and soils by spills of crude oil and kerosene diesel diluents.

“I am pleased that the state of California through the California Regional Water Quality Control Board is taking action on this environmental disaster,” Nava said. “It is unacceptable that an egregious violator such as Greka Energy can pollute for years and not be held accountable and forced to clean up their act.”

A hearing on the complaint is scheduled for Oct. 16-17 in Santa Barbara. At the hearing, the board will decide whether to affirm, reject, decrease or increase the proposed $8.5 million fine or to refer the matter to the California attorney general.

Greka Energy is a multinational corporation in Santa Barbara County that has had a series of catastrophic onshore oil spills where more than 500,000 gallons of crude oil and processed water have been spilled during the past eight years and almost 300,000 during the past several months.

John Mann is a spokesman for Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara.

Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules.

  1. No abusive, defamatory or libelous attacks. In plain English: No personal attacks.
  2. No vulgar or discriminatory language.
  3. If you do not follow these rules, don't be surprised if your comment is removed.
  4. Please use the Report Abuse button on offensive comments.
  5. Share what you know, ask about what you don't. Give us your eyewitness accounts, observations, background and history. Tell us what else you want to know about the story.
  6. Stay on the topic, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK, and forgive people their spelling errors.

Noozhawk's intent is not to limit the discussion of our stories but to elevate it. Thank you for your respectful participation. Click here for our complete Terms of Use.

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until they've been approved.

You must be a registered user to comment. Create a user account

Log in




Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?

More Local News »

It’s a Blooming Good Time for Wildflower Blossoms

Looking for spring sights? We can tell you right where to go

Road to Recovery Continues for Channel Islands National Park

Park superintendent says commitment to resource restoration remains focus for archipelago

Free-Flying Brown Pelicans a Recovery Success Story

After 40 years on the Endangered Species List, the seabirds were recently delisted as their numbers reached historic levels

Ride, Wine and Dine with Vino Vaqueros

Experience the richness of the Santa Ynez Valley on horseback, followed by wine tasting and a meal

Nite Moves Still On the Go After 21 Years of Waterfront Fun

Santa Barbara's original run- and ocean-swim event lures a 'mini-community' of loyal participants

Weather: Fair 50.0º


© Malamute Ventures LLC 2007-2010 | ISSN No. 1947-6086

Web Design & Development by PixelFive