Court order to limit BP plant emissions

AUSTIN (AP) - BP Products North America Inc. agreed to a court order forcing the petrochemical giant to end what state officials said are illegal emissions at its Texas City, Texas refinery.

The temporary injunction filed in district court in Austin on Monday ensures BP will follow environmental laws while the state's pollution lawsuit plays out in court.

Under the agreement, BP will review 53 pollution violations cited in the state's lawsuit and improve air monitoring systems and reporting procedures. One of those violations is tied to a March 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 170 others.

The Texas attorney general said BP's refinery near Houston spewed hundreds of thousands of pounds of pollutants.

BP has not admitted liability or guilt. The company calls the agreement an important step and said it is working to resolve the matter in a way that satisfies the state and the company.