Federal Court Upholds Exxon Mobil Air Pollution Fine

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a $14.25 million penalty against Exxon Mobil for violations of the Clean Air Act at its Baytown, Texas refinery, concluding over a decade of litigation initiated by the Sierra Club and Environment Texas. This ruling confirms the principle that nearby residents have the right to hold companies accountable for air pollution, as emphasized by attorney Josh Kratka. Between 2005 and 2013, Exxon was found to have released 10 million pounds of pollutants beyond its permitted limits. Although the initial fine was set at $19.95 million in 2017, it was later reduced by U.S. District Judge David Hittner. The decision was contentious, with a divided court expressing frustration over the prolonged deliberation process, highlighting that