DEQ fines helps purchase new equipment

Criminal fines are allowing the state Department of Environmental Quality and state police to buy air monitoring equipment, vehicles, clothing, safety goggles and first aid kits.

Tim Knight, administrator of DEQ's assessment division, tells The Advocate the $1 million in fines allows the state to purchase the items.

The money comes from a federal judge's order last year that Houston-based Pelican Refining Co. pay $12 million for violating the U.S. Clean Air Act and obstructing justice. The fines stemmed from broken or poorly functioning pollution-control equipment at the company's Lake Charles refinery and the filing of false reports.

The fine gave $1 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and $500,000 each to DEQ and State Police Emergency Services Unit.