July 2017

CLF’s lawsuit alleges that the company has failed to take measures to protect its Providence Terminal — and in turn the Providence River and nearby communities — from the effects of climate change. In its complaint, CLF argues that Shell is violating the conditions of its Clean Water Act permits by failing to prevent and monitor unlawful discharges of pollution into the river and by failing to adequately plan for increasing amounts of stormwater runoff caused by climate change. “It’s a longstanding requirement of the Clean Water Act that these facilities take the precautions they need to avoid a spill or unlawful discharge and they can’t turn a blind eye to climate conditions that are not only anticipated, but in many cases — like the increase in intense rains — already here,” said CLF president Bradley Campbell.

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