Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. Additionally, we have elected a $300,000 threshold to disclose certain proceedings arising under federal, state or local environmental laws when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings. During the first quarter of 2023, one such new matter arose and no material developments occurred with respect to matters previously reported but still unresolved. We do not currently believe that the eventual outcome of any matters previously reported but still unresolved, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Further, our U.S. refineries are implementing two separate consent decrees, regarding alleged violations of the Federal Clean Air Act, with the EPA, five states and one local air pollution agency. Some of the requirements and limitations contained in the decrees provide for stipulated penalties for violations. Stipulated penalties under the decrees are not automatic, but must be requested by one of the agency signatories. As part of periodic reports under the decrees or other reports required by permits or regulations, we occasionally report matters that could be subject to a request for stipulated penalties. If a specific request for stipulated penalties meeting the reporting threshold set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules is made pursuant to these decrees based on a given reported exceedance, we will separately report that matter and the amount of the proposed penalty. We did receive such a request in the first quarter of 2023, which is described in the new matter below.
New Matter
Following preliminary discussions, we expect to receive a final demand for alleged stipulated penalties arising from self-reported Clean Air Act violations at our Alliance, Borger, Sweeny and Wood River refineries. The proposed penalties exceed $500,000 and would be pursued pursuant to the consent decree referenced above and a related Wood River Refinery consent decree.
See Note 13—Contingencies and Commitments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional information.
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