Bernard P. Robichaux, Negligent Discharge of Pollutants, Louisiana 2020

Iberville Parish, Louisiana – The head of BPR Energy, Inc. has been penalized for a 2018 oil spill at a Petro-Hurst Oil facility in Iberville Parish. Bernard P. Robichaux, president of BPR Energy, pleaded guilty to negligent violation of Louisiana’s environmental regulations, bringing a close to a case highlighting the ongoing risks of pollution from oil production in the state.

The incident, which occurred in March 2018, involved the discharge of pollutants into state waters. While the exact volume of the spill remains undisclosed, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and Louisiana State Police initiated an investigation following reports of the unauthorized release. The investigation revealed that BPR Energy, Inc. failed to notify the appropriate agencies, a critical component of responsible environmental stewardship and legal compliance.

BPR Energy, Inc. itself entered a guilty plea to a felony count, admitting to knowingly violating provisions of Louisiana’s Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (PDES). The company’s failure to report the discharge constituted a significant breach of protocol and potentially hindered effective containment and remediation efforts. The PDES program is designed to control the discharge of pollutants from point sources, such as oil production facilities, into Louisiana’s waterways.

Robichaux’s guilty plea centered on the negligent discharge of pollutants without a permit, demonstrating a lack of adherence to established environmental safeguards. While the charge against him was classified as negligent rather than knowing, the incident still carried significant consequences. Sources close to the investigation suggest that the lack of proper containment measures at the Petro-Hurst facility contributed to the spill and subsequent violations.

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Penalties & Resolution

On January 29, 2020, the court handed down its sentencing. BPR Energy, Inc. was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine. Bernard P. Robichaux received a $10,000 fine and a two-year probationary sentence. Furthermore, Robichaux was directed to reimburse both the LDEQ and the Louisiana State Police $5,000 each, covering costs incurred during the investigation. A remediation contractor was deployed to clean up the affected area, though the full extent of environmental damage is still being assessed.

Key Facts

Defendant: Bernard P. Robichaux & BPR Energy, Inc.
Location: Iberville Parish, Louisiana
Statutes Violated: Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (PDES)
Charges: Felony knowing violation (BPR Energy, Inc.), Negligent violation (Bernard Robichaux)
Penalties: $50,000 fine (BPR Energy, Inc.), $10,000 fine & 2 years probation (Robichaux), $10,000 reimbursement to LDEQ & LSP (Robichaux)
Incident Date: March 2018

This case underscores the importance of strict adherence to environmental regulations within Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. The LDEQ continues to emphasize the need for proactive measures to prevent spills and ensure prompt reporting of any discharges, protecting the state’s valuable natural resources and holding responsible parties accountable for their actions. GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments in environmental crime across the state.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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