Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips Sued Over Environmental Violations

OAKLAND, Calif. -- California Attorney General Kamala Harris has sued ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 for alleged environmental violations at 560 gas stations.

According to Bloomberg, Harris and seven other California county district attorneys filed a complaint Wednesday in state court in Oakland seeking an order forcing the companies to comply with the state's laws for underground storage tanks, as well as unspecified damages resulting from allegedly violating the state's health and safety code.

The lawsuit, The People v. Phillips 66, RG13661894, Superior Court of California, Alameda County, asserts that the two Houston-based companies improperly monitored, inspected and maintained underground storage tanks, as well as improperly handling hazardous waste and materials associated with the storage tanks.

"The state's hazardous waste laws help protect our residents from contaminated groundwater," Harris said in a statement. "This lawsuit safeguards public health by ensuring proper maintenance of the tanks that store fuel beneath many California communities."

ConocoPhillips spun off Phillips 66 last year.

When reached for comment, Dean Beaudo, spokesman for ConocoPhillips, told Bloomberg the assets and liabilities of the retail locations in question are owned by Phillips 66, not his company.

Phillips 66 spokesman Janet Grothe told the news outlet that the company doesn't comment on legal matters.