New Jersey Settled Two Major Environmental Damage Claims
The state secured $24 million in settlements from Hercules LLC and Hess Corp for past industrial contamination incidents.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Environmental
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New Jersey successfully resolved long-standing environmental lawsuits against Hercules LLC and Hess Corp in August 2026. The combined $24 million in settlements aims to compensate the state for hazardous substance discharges and secure significant land preservation.
Why it matters
These consent judgments hold major industrial players accountable for historical pollution incidents that contaminated New Jersey soil and waterways. The agreements combine financial penalties with permanent conservation efforts to restore affected ecological areas.
The state secured $4.5 million from Hercules LLC and $19.5 million from Hess Corp to address contamination. Agreements include 600 acres of protected conservation easements across Duhernal, Gibbstown, and Kenvil properties.
The players
Hercules LLC
This company faced a 2007 lawsuit from New Jersey regarding contamination at sites including Parlin and Gibbstown.
Hess Corp
This corporation was sued by the state in 2018 over pollution at its former refinery operations in Port Reading.
Buckeye Partners
This company acquired the Port Reading refinery site from Hess Corp in 2013.
The details
The Hess settlement addresses pollution from a 1969 tank failure that released 8 million gallons of crude oil at a Port Reading refinery, a site that was later sold in 2013. Hercules LLC agreed to settle 2007 litigation by preserving 235 acres in Roxbury Township and funding additional DEP oversight costs.
Timeline
1958: Hess Corp began operating its Port Reading refinery.
1969: A tank failure released 8 million gallons of crude oil.
2007: Lawsuit filed against Hercules LLC for contamination.
2013: Hess sold the Port Reading property to Buckeye Partners.
August 2026: Consent judgments entered in Superior Court.
Deeper Dive
The state's action follows established legal precedents to hold corporations liable for legacy pollution under New Jersey Hazardous Substance and Contaminant Discharge cleanup mandates. These settlements mark a significant recovery effort for industrial sites impacted by decades-old spills.
The preservation of 600 acres under these easements provides long-term protection for local habitats and recreational green space. Residents in Roxbury Township and surrounding areas benefit from the permanent removal of these tracts from future industrial development.
The takeaway
These settlements demonstrate that industrial pollution liability can persist for decades, forcing companies to pay for damages years after initial incidents. The inclusion of land easements ensures that some of the environmental harm is offset by permanent habitat restoration.
Further reading
For more on state-led efforts to manage ecological cleanup and preservation, visit the New Jersey Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRNJ Radio.
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