EPA Fines Unocal Over Expansion

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Unocal Corp. $80,000 for expanding its refineries in Wilmington and Carson in 1993 without proper environmental impact reports.

The fine is similar to a $443,000 fine Chevron USA paid last year for expanding its refinery in El Segundo without air quality permits or an approved environmental review, EPA spokesman Bill Glenn said Monday.

Both companies were expanding after the state ordered all California refineries to produce a cleaner-burning gasoline by March 1 to combat smog. Service stations must convert entirely to the new blends by June 1.