CLOVIS (KMJ) — A $22 million settlement has been awarded to the City of Clovis. It’s after a jury established that Shell Oil Company should cover the costs of cleaning out TCP in the water supply.
“Clovis had sued Shell Oil, among some other companies, for some TCP that was in some of the products that were used as nematicides, used to kill nematodes. It’s contaminated the groundwater. We sued them for some cleanup costs”, explains Public Utilities Director Luke Serpa. “That went to trial and actually the jury returned their verdict this morning”.
Wednesday’s decision means the City of Clovis will be sent funds to provide treatment to remove the TCP from the groundwater, whenever a well is found to exceed a state standard.
“Once the state sets the standard”, reveals Serpa. “The state is actually in the process of setting that standard and then we will adjust our treatments necessary to meet that standard – and this money will be used to pay for a portion of that”.
He adds that they’re unable to act until Sacramento makes a decision.
“We estimated the total cost was going to exceed this amount, but these are the damages that we’re awarded and we will use it towards that purpose”.
In response to the verdict, Shell Oil company express their thanks to the jurors for putting their lives on hold for over three months.
“We are especially grateful that the jury rejected the plaintiff’s claim of malice and its effort to obtain punitive damages. There was no evidence to justify that.
“Whether we will appeal the other findings in the jury verdict is a matter for another day. Today, we want to acknowledge the hard work of the jury, the Court and its staff to bring this phase of the case to a close”.
Hear the story from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
