BP Fined $50 Million after Guilty Plea to Clean Air Act Violation

HOUSTON - Oil refiner BP Products North America Inc. was fined $50 million after pleading guilty to criminal charges arising from a 2005 explosion that killed 15 people and injured dozens more. United States of America v. BP Products North America Inc., No. H-07-434 (S.D. Texas).

Judge Lee H. Rosenthal of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas accepted BP's plea agreement on March 12, saying that despite objections by some victims who think the penalties too lenient, the fine and the terms of a three-year probationary period is "a reasonably disposition given the available alternatives."

Judge …