Norwegian Environment Agency reports Equinor for illegal pollution at Mongstad

Oil refinery - MongstadPhoto: Marit Hommedal / NTB

The Norwegian Environment Agency has reported Equinor to the police for three breaches of the environmental regulations in connection with the emissions at Mongstad.

In an email to newspaper Dagens Næringsliv, the Norwegian Environment Agency confirmed that it asked the Western Police District to investigate three violations of the environmental regulations.

“Our impression is that Equinor Mongstad did not take sufficient care about pollution from the refinery,” the Norwegian Environment Agency noted in the email.

The Norwegian Environment Agency has recently issued strong criticism against Equinor and the conditions at Mongstad after several oil leaks from Norway’s largest refinery.

Rotevatn aware of reports

An internal report from Equinor shows that the emissions may have been ongoing for several decades. 

“I am aware that the Norwegian Environment Agency has reported Equinor Mongstad to the police for two matters; for acute pollution as a result of pipe ruptures last summer, and for discharges to the ground from the refinery operations at Mongstad in December last year,” Minister of Climate and Environment Sveinung Rotevatn (V) wrote in answer to a written question in the Norwegian parliament (Storting) on Wednesday.

“The case of ground pollution at Equinor Mongstad is very serious and has led to extensive oil pollution in the ground. 

“I expect Equinor to clean up all matters that are in conflict with the pollution regulations so that the business follows all applicable requirements as quickly as possible,” Rotevatn added.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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