News In Brief
| Washington
US seeks $1.9 billion from Shell for toxic cleanup
The Justice Department Friday filed a $1.9 billion civil suit against Shell Oil Co., claiming it damaged the environment by allowing toxic chemicals to spill on the federally owned site it leases near Denver.
The complaint seeks reimbursement costs for cleanup of the 27-square-mile Rocky Mountain Arsenal, which Shell and its predecessor have leased since 1947.
The suit, filed in US District Court in Denver at the request of the Army, claims Shell and its chemical subsidiary manufactured commercial pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals which leaked into the environment.
Shell has been negotiating with the Army over cleanup techniques and costs for several months and still hopes to reach an agreement.
