Green groups sue Chevron Phillips over pollution

Two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against Chevron Phillips Chemical Co LP over alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act at its Cedar Bayou plant, located east of Houston, representatives of the groups said on Wednesday. The Sierra Club and Environment Texas allege the 50-50 petrochemical joint-venture between energy giants Chevron Corp and ConocoPhillips repeatedly violated limits for pollution set in operating permits issued by regulators for the plant. The groups brought the lawsuit because state regulators have failed to enforce limits, said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas. "Because the state of Texas has failed to stop such violations at Cedar Bayou and elsewhere, citizen groups have had to step up and enforce the law themselves," Metzger said. The federal Clean Air Act allows citizens to bring lawsuits to enforce the act.