Mon Jan 7, 2008 11:50pm GMT
(Recasts, updates with Shell comment and lawyer comment)
By Erwin Seba
HOUSTON, Jan 7 (Reuters) – The Sierra Club, the largest and oldest U.S. environmental organization, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against Shell Oil Co and subsidiaries over pollution at a refining and chemical plant complex along the Houston Ship Channel.
Shell could face a maximum fine of $32,500 for each of an estimated 1,000 incidents between 2003 and 2007 when the Deer Park, Texas, refinery and chemical plant exceeded levels of pollution allowed under permits issued by Texas regulators.