Press Releases Share Print #24-051 CITY OF CARSON STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ON PHILLIPS 66 Today, the US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles filed felony criminal charges against Phillips66 regarding unlawful dumping of oil and grease into the sewer system at their refinery in theCity of Carson. This serves as a significant moment in the ongoing fight for environmentaljustice in my community. As Mayor of Carson, I have been committed to protecting the healthand welfare of Carson residents, which also benefits residents everywhere as pollution andcontamination does not obey jurisdictional lines. And fighting for our residents includesensuring that those responsible for environmental harm are held accountable.While this accountability of Phillips 66 has been long overdue, better late than never. I lookforward to federal law enforcement in tandem with the US Attorney holding fully accountablethose responsible for this harm to our environment. This filing may also explain, in part, Phillipsannounced departure from Carson in an irresponsible fashion, trying to market its hundreds ofacres of property in the City for industrial development. Even on its way out, Phillips 66demonstrated its lack of respect for our residents and the environment.Under my leadership, the City of Carson has been proactive in addressing the toxic legacy ofindustrial pollution. We have implemented a refinery tax to help mitigate the negativeenvironmental impacts on our community from pollution and contamination, and that fund tosupport crucial environmental protection programs and public health initiatives. However,much like its poor record in protecting the environment, Phillips is suing the City to avoid payingits fair share of the refinery tax. I want to make it clear that while we respect the right tochallenge, we will continue to stand firm in our efforts to protect the people of Carson, andfrom which residents throughout the region will also benefit.The recent charges only reaffirm the need for vigilance in protecting our residents fromindustrial practices that jeopardize our health. I will continue to ensure that the City is at theforefront of this issue. I have instructed the City Attorney to contact the Department of Justiceso that the City of Carson can be involved as this case progresses. The City will also assessits direct rights against Phillips 66. While we are indeed pleased that the US Attorney’s Officein Los Angeles has finally filed these charges, I am also concerned that given President-ElectTrump’s rhetoric that unless the City gets involved the charges will be quickly dropped uponhim assuming office.Accordingly, I also call upon all of our elected leaders at the county, state, and federal levelsto stand with the City of Carson in this critical fight. The time to act together is now, we mustensure that corporate polluters that put our communities at risk are held accountable for theiractions.At the City level, we will not rest until accountability is achieved.
701 E Carson Street