Plaintiffs v Continental Carbon Company
Continental Carbon Company Settles Class Action Lawsuits, Demonstrates Ongoing Commitment to Corporate and Environmental Stewardship
Continental Carbon Company (CCC) has received final approval by the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma of the settlement agreements in two class action lawsuits claiming that carbon black emissions from the companys Ponca City, Okla. manufacturing plant damaged nearby properties.
Following a hearing before Judge Robin Cauthron in Oklahoma City, the Court entered final orders approving settlements reached previously. In the first case, The Ponca Tribe of Indians, et. al. v. Continental Carbon Company, et. al, CCC agreed to pay the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and class members $10.5 million. In the second case, Annie Owen v, Continental Carbon Company, CCC agreed to make $800,000 available to 11,000 Ponca City property owners if they establish actual damages caused by plant carbon black emissions.
Based on Judge Cauthrons Order, CCC also secured permanent terms and conditions for addressing any future disputes in the community concerning claimed air emissions from its plant. The procedure focuses on having people with complaints give immediate notice to CCC so that the source of the problem can be identified and validated by scientific facts. In the past, few complaints were made in time to allow accurate identification of the root source of the problem so that rumor and myth essentially substituted for science. Under the settlements approved by the Court, complaints must be made to Continental Carbon within seven days so that samples can be taken, if necessary. The sampled material can then be examined and tested quickly to get reliable results.
Continental Carbon Company
Laura Pennino, 281-286-9398
mobile 713-419-1776
lp@penninoandpartners.com
or
Blake Lewis, 214-269-2093
blake@penninoandpartners.com
Cellular: (808) 271-7500
Facsimile: (888) 722-5575
