Bay advocacy group says it intends to sue Port of Benicia owner

BENICIA — San Francisco Baykeeper announced it has notified Amports Inc., owner of the Port of Benicia, of its intent to sue the corporation for what Baykeeper asserts are violations of the Clean Water Act.

“Baykeeper, responding to tips to its pollution hotline, observed several instances of petroleum coke dust being discharged directly into the Carquinez Strait portion of the Bay during the loading of cargo ships. Petroleum coke (petcoke) is an oil refinery waste product that contains copper, zinc, nickel, arsenic, mercury and vanadium, which are all considered to be toxic substances by the EPA and are regulated under the Clean Water Act,” Baykeeper stated in a press release issued Wednesday.