BP To Pay Texas $50 Million For 2005 Refinery Blast

BP has agreed to pay $50 million in civil penalties to the state for an explosion six years ago at its refinery in Texas City. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott charged BP with violating state air quality laws during and after the explosion. The blast in 2005 killed 15 workers and injured more than 170 others.

The settlement says BP does not admit any wrongdoing “because of the uncertainty and costs of litigation.” It also prevents the state from being able to sue BP over the claims in the future.

The Attorney General’s office will keep $500,000 of the $50 million to cover legal fees. The rest goes into the state treasury.

BP already paid more than $21 million under a 2005 settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Check out this animation from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to see what caused the blast: