In a settlement against the oiling giant Royal Dutch Shell's American unit, California was awarded a whopping $19.5 Million. According to Attorney General Jerry Brown, Shell had violated the regulations by not storing fuel at various filling stations across the state in an appropriate manner.

"Shell Oil Company disregarded the state's underground fuel storage and hazardous waste laws, committing hundreds of environmental violations at its gasoline stations across California", shared Brown. Under the investigation, the attorney general's office joined hands with the California State Water Resources Control Board and probed into over 1,000 Shell stations statewide.

In addition to paying a penalty of $19.5 Million, Shell has been directed to take proper measures and improve the spill and alarm monitoring and hazardous waste management condition across all stations.

Shell, in an official statement issued, said, "While admitting no liability, Shell is pleased to reach this settlement and has been working cooperatively with the State of California since 2006 to resolve this matter."