BP sued by California for alleged hazardous waste violations

BP Plc units including Atlantic Richfield Co. were sued by California over claims they violated environmental laws by failing to inspect and maintain underground storage tanks at 780 gas stations.

Since 2006, BP West Coast Products, BP Products North America Inc. and Arco tampered with or disabled leak detection devices, failed to test secondary containment systems and didn’t conduct monthly inspections or maintain operation alarm systems, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said in an e- mailed statement.

Six other California counties joined Alameda County in the lawsuit filed today in Alameda County Superior Court, according to the statement. The case couldn’t be confirmed in electronic court records.

BP’s U.S. press office had no immediate comment on the lawsuit.