LOS ANGELES (AP) – California prosecutors say a Texas company faces four felony counts and dozens of misdemeanors after a pipeline break spilled 140,000 gallons of oil last year on the Santa Barbara coast.
Attorney General Kamala Harris said Tuesday that Plains All American Pipeline faces up to $2.8 million in fines if convicted.
The company says the spill was an accident and the charges are inappropriate.
Prosecutors say the company faces felony counts for spilling oil in state waters and three dozen misdemeanors for harming wildlife. More than 300 dead sea lions and pelicans were found after the May 19, 2015, spill that spread tar balls more than 100 miles.
A Plains employee and the company also face charges of failing to report the spill quickly enough to state emergency officials.
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