Shell To Settle Toxic Waste Suit For $19.5 Million

November 7, 2009 9:10 a.m. EST

San Francisco, CA (AHN) - Shell Oil Co. has agreed to pay California and the state's local governments $19.5 million as settlement for violations of underground fuel storage and hazardous waste laws by the firm's gasoline station across California.

Shell filed the settlement agreement at the Alameda County Superior Court to cover more than 1,000 gas stations. The settlement also requires Shell to improve its waste storage, leak monitoring and training of worker.

Inspectors pointed to defective leak-monitoring system, waste storage and disposal, company inspections, record -keeping and emergency plans.