"Sierra Club Sues Exxon Over Baytown Plant Pollution"

"The Sierra Club and Environment Texas filed a federal lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corp for five years of excess pollution at the nation's largest refinery, the Sierra Club said on Tuesday.

The two groups over three years have won settlements with Shell Oil Co and Chevron Phillips Chemical Co for pollution at Houston-area refineries and chemical plants.

Tuesday's lawsuit alleges Exxon's 560,540 barrel per day refinery and chemical plant in Baytown, Texas, committed over 2,500 violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act between 2005 and 2010, releasing over 8 million lbs of pollutants, said Neil Carman, clean air director of the Sierra Club's Texas chapter.

If successful, the lawsuit could cost Exxon $81.25 million in fines, according to the Sierra Club."

Erwin Seba reports for Reuters December 15, 2010.