chevron
Newsletter
Credit: Nicolas Arnold/Unsplash
Chevron agrees to a $550 million settlement with California city
Richmond, California, secured a half-billion dollar settlement from Chevron after proposing a ballot tax on barrels produced at its local refinery, setting a potential model for other cities.
In short:
- Chevron offered a $550 million settlement to avoid a proposed barrel tax in Richmond, California.
- The settlement could fund Richmond's budget for ten years and encourage similar actions in other refinery towns.
- Activists view the deal as a mixed victory, while some cities are already considering similar initiatives.
Key quote:
“The community of Richmond has created a movement that will echo across the nation.”
— Eduardo Martinez, Mayor of Richmond
Why this matters:
Cities across the U.S. could use Richmond's strategy to pressure large polluting industries into settlements. This approach may empower local governments to secure funding while holding corporations accountable for environmental impacts.
Read more: Pollution, Poverty, and People of Color: 'We Are Richmond'
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Jonathan Weiss/Big Stock Photo
Chevron’s headquarters relocation to Houston raises pollution concerns in Latino communities
Chevron’s move from California to Houston has heightened fears of increased air pollution, especially in Houston’s predominantly Latino neighborhoods, where pollution-related health issues are already prevalent.
In short:
- Chevron relocated its headquarters to Houston following a California lawsuit over climate change deception.
- Local activists fear lax regulations in Texas will exacerbate air pollution, impacting vulnerable communities.
- Houston’s Latino neighborhoods already face some of the nation’s worst air quality, with pollution linked to serious health issues.
Key quote:
"Chevron already has a history of breaking the law in Texas. It is not surprising that it's deciding to move its headquarters to Texas since the state's regulations and their enforcement are much more lax than they are in California"
— Erandi Treviño, Houston environmental activist
Why this matters:
Some residents fear Chevron’s move to Houston could worsen air quality in areas already suffering from pollution, intensifying health risks for Latino communities with limited resources to address these challenges.
Read more: ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report
Keep reading...Show less
Top Story
Credit: askarim/Big Stock Photo
Chevron mixes news and self-promotion in West Texas
Chevron's "Permian Proud" website offers regional news in West Texas and New Mexico, blending positive stories about the community with the company’s perspective on the oil industry.
In short:
- Chevron runs the "Permian Proud" website, offering local news alongside company-friendly content in a region with limited news outlets.
- Critics argue the site is part of a broader effort by Chevron to influence public perception in areas where it operates.
- Local officials generally support the site, viewing it as a community benefit.
Key quote:
“Permian Proud is a blatant, naked attempt by industry to have their side of the story be told.”
— Miguel Escoto, environmental advocate
Why this matters:
Chevron's control over local news narratives raises concerns about the lack of independent journalism in oil-rich regions, potentially skewing public understanding of environmental and economic issues.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Big oil companies report soaring profits and increased production
Major oil companies like Exxon Mobil, Shell and BP reported higher-than-expected profits due to increased oil and gas production, while Chevron's earnings fell short because of its refining business.
In short:
- Exxon Mobil achieved a 15% increase in second-quarter production thanks to record outputs in the Permian Basin and Guyana, while Chevron announced it will relocate its headquarters to Houston.
- ConocoPhillips is advancing its Willow oil project in the Arctic, despite opposition, with expectations of producing 180,000 barrels per day by 2029.
- Shell and BP face criticism from environmental groups for shifting away from renewables and prioritizing short-term shareholder profits from fossil fuels.
Key quote:
“It is shameful that Shell…continues to reap billions in profits off the back of its planet-wrecking oil and gas operations.”
— Chiara Liguori, senior climate justice policy adviser for Oxfam Great Britain
Why this matters:
The oil companies' focus on fossil fuel production over renewable energy investments could hinder global climate goals. This trend underscores the tension between corporate profit motives and environmental responsibility.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: askarim/Big Stock Photo
Chevron moves headquarters to Texas citing regulatory challenges
Chevron is relocating its headquarters from California to Texas, citing challenges with the state's regulatory environment for businesses, particularly regarding fossil fuels and environmental policies.
David Wethe, Karen Breslau, and Kevin Crowley report for Bloomberg.
In short:
- Chevron is moving its headquarters to Houston from California due to challenging regulatory policies in the state.
- CEO Mike Wirth stated that the relocation is strategic, aiming to be closer to the industry epicenter, rather than politically motivated.
- The move follows a series of leadership changes and comes as Chevron missed its second-quarter profit estimates.
Key quote:
“We’ve had some policy differences with California, but this isn’t a move about politics. It’s a move about what’s good for our company to compete and perform.”
— Mike Wirth, CEO of Chevron
Why this matters:
Chevron’s decision highlights the impact of regulatory environments on business operations and strategic decisions. This shift may affect California's economy and workforce, as well as future regulatory discussions.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: askarim/Big Stock Photo
Chevron settles for a historic fine over California oil spills
In a landmark move, Chevron has agreed to pay $13 million in fines to California agencies for its oil spill incidents, marking a step towards addressing past environmental damages.
In short:
- Chevron's $13 million penalty sets a record for fines related to oil spills in California, addressing contamination that has persisted for decades.
- The settlement does not mandate an immediate halt to the ongoing spills but introduces a framework for state-supervised management and containment.
- Chevron's response to these fines includes an acknowledgment of their environmental obligations and a pledge to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- Despite the significant fines, Chevron's earnings dwarf the penalties, raising questions about the effectiveness of financial penalties as deterrents.
Key quote:
"It's great to see one of the state's most prolific polluters fined for its destruction to the environment."
— Hollin Kretzmann, attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute
Why this matters:
Across the country, states and the federal government are allocating more resources for cleanup of abandoned, leaking wells, which come with significant environmental and economic impacts. So far, industry's contribution to cleaning up their messes has fallen far short of what's needed, leaving taxpayers at risk of footing the bill.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Pedro Lastra/Unsplash
Chicago takes on oil giants in climate lawsuit
A lawsuit alleges that BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, and Shell have damaged Chicago by undermining scientific credibility, while their products contribute to devastating effects such as intense storms, floods, extreme heat, and coastal erosion.
In short:
- Chicago is suing BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, and Shell, alleging they misled the public about climate change impacts.
- The lawsuit aims to hold these companies accountable for the city's climate change-related costs, including infrastructure damage and adaptation expenses.
- This legal action follows similar suits by New York and California, seeking financial compensation for fossil fuel-induced environmental harm.
Key quote:
The fossil fuel industry “funded, conceived, planned and carried out a sustained and widespread campaign of denial and disinformation about the existence of climate change and their products’ contribution to it.”
— Chicago lawsuit against fossil fuel companies
Why this matters:
This lawsuit underscores a growing trend of cities holding corporations accountable for environmental damage, particularly as it relates to public health and safety. It reflects a significant shift in how local governments are addressing the broader issue of climate change, potentially setting a precedent for future legal actions against major polluters.
Keep reading...Show less
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
