Monday, September 27, 2010

BP (NYSE:BP) Denies Texas City Refinery Leaking Gas

BP (NYSE:BP) had denied a claim by a Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee that a unit at its Texas City refinery is leaking gas. They claim the assertions by the lawyer that it represents an "extreme hazard" are inaccurate, although they didn't deny refinery's Pipestill 3A unit was leaking.

A letter from a lawyer to the company demanded they shut down the unit, or he'll petition a court to force them to do it.

BP noted the lawyer also sent out a press release at the same time contacting them.

"There is no need for Mr. Buzbee to be involved in this matter and no need for him to go to court," BP spokesman Michael Marr said in an e-mail to the Houston Chronicle. "Galveston County citizens and community leaders should be skeptical of claims by a lawyer with a presumed financial motive to make them. The fact that Mr. Buzbee sent his letter to the press at the same time as he sent it to BP suggests that publicity may be another goal."

Marr added that BP has contacted numerous government agencies about the equipment mentioned by Buzbee, including the the Texas attorney general, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Galveston County district attorney, the county health district, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Consequently, BP said it's none of Buzbee's business.

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