Suing Shell

The Sierra Club and Environment Texas are suing Shell Oil Company in Houston in a “citizen suit” provision allowed by the Clean Air Act for alleged violations of federal air quality standards.

According to Shell’s submitted records to the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality since 2003 that were analyzed by these groups, upsets at the company produced large amounts of pollution. Under the Clean Air Act, a provision is in place for private citizens to take the law into their own hands if state and federal regulators fail to hold companies accountable for violations that directly affect the citizens.

The lawsuit would require Shell to cease illegal activity under the Clean Air Act. Shell would also face fines of up to $32,500 per day for each violation.

Houston is currently the fifth most smog-polluted city in the United States.