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Environment & Safety

US refiners decry latest EPA proposal for tougher auto pollution standards

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce the proposal as early as Friday. It is expected to require refiners to reduce the amount of sulfur in gasoline to 10 parts per million, down from the current standard of 30 ppm, people familiar with the issue said.

Chevron cuts executive pay amid safety woes

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

Chevron's board is cutting compensation for its CEO and other top executives in the wake of a string of accidents and other operational problems since late 2011.

Chevron recovers less oil than first expected from Utah diesel pipeline leak

Chevron is dealing with the fallout of the March 18 leak, which resulted in 600 bbl of diesel from its refinery in Salt Lake City spilling into marshes close to a freshwater lake in Willard Bay State Park. The company has to date recovered 354 bbl, down from the 500 bbl it said it had collected Friday.

EU sees 2020 clean energy target as unachievable

"While progress has been made until 2010, there are reasons for concern about future progress," the European Commission said. "Current policies alone will be insufficient to trigger the required renewable energy deployment in a majority of member states. Hence, additional efforts will be needed."

Canadian Pacific train derails in US, spilling crude

CP crews are on the scene, and the spill is being contained. The derailment comes amid a surge in rail-shipped oil across North America, as US and Canadian production booms. That has heightened scrutiny over the safety of transporting increasing quantities of crude on the continent's railroads.

US proposes $1.7 million fine against ExxonMobil for Montana oil pipeline leak

The US Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees pipeline safety, said Exxon didn't have written procedures instructing employees how to protect the pipeline in case of natural disasters. Exxon was "disappointed in the findings of this report".

BP seeks sanctions for Halliburton over missing cement samples

HP Editorial Staff: HP News Services

BP is asking a federal judge to issue sanctions against Halliburton, alleging the drilling contractor withheld evidence in the trial following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Williams shuts down natural gas pipeline in West Virginia after explosion

A large explosion occurred shortly after noon local time and forced local residents to evacuate their homes, said Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil. The pipeline automatically shut down after the explosion, and residents were allowed to return to their home at around 2:30 p.m.

EU takes Poland, Cyprus to court for not enforcing renewable energy rules

"The European Commission is referring Poland and Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose" the legislation, the commission said in a statement. It also proposed fines for the infringement -- 133,228.80 euros per day for Poland, 11,404.80 euros daily for Cyprus.

Canada pledges to toughen oil tanker safety rules

Resources Minister Joe Oliver and Transport Minister Denis Lebel were in Vancouver, British Columbia this week to unveil the latest proposals, which include establishing a panel tasked with recommending further changes to create a so-called "world-class" tanker safety system.