Unocal Charged With Pollution

In what is believed to be the first prosecution under a tough new air quality law, Unocal Corp. was charged today with intentionally spewing pollutants into the atmosphere at its Wilmington smokestack.

The law, which went into effect Jan. 1, 1987, provides for a $25,000 fine for each intentional air pollution violation. Unocal was charged by the city attorney’s office with five such violations. “We think the evidence in this case . . . shows that the pollution not only took place because of faulty equipment, but that Unocal officials knew it was happening and failed to stop it,” City Atty. James K. Hahn said.