New Jersey Settled Pollution Claims for $24 Million
Consent judgments finalized in August resolve long-standing environmental damage litigation.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Environmental
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In August 2026, New Jersey finalized settlements with Hercules LLC and Hess Corp to address alleged hazardous substance discharges. The state will receive a combined $24 million in payments to resolve multi-year environmental contamination lawsuits.
Why it matters
These settlements compensate the state for decades-old industrial pollution and secure significant land conservation easements across New Jersey. They represent a milestone in closing complex litigation involving legacy refinery operations and contamination incidents.
The state secured $19.5 million from Hess Corp for a 1969 spill that released 8 million gallons of crude oil and $4.5 million from Hercules LLC. Additionally, Hercules agreed to conservation easements covering 600 acres, including 300 acres at the Duhernal property.
The players
Hercules LLC
An industrial entity involved in long-running litigation regarding chemical contamination sites in New Jersey.
Hess Corp
A former oil refinery operator implicated in legacy pollution cases following decades of operation in Port Reading.
The details
The settlements address environmental degradation caused by industrial activity and specific chemical discharges. Conservation easements—legal agreements that permanently restrict land development to protect its natural state—will be placed on 600 acres of land. This includes 235 acres in the Kenvil section of Roxbury Township and 110 acres at the Gibbstown property, alongside the Duhernal tract.
Timeline
1958: Hess Corp began operating its Port Reading refinery.
1969: A tank failure released 8 million gallons of crude oil.
2007: A lawsuit was filed against Hercules LLC for contamination.
2013: Hess sold the Port Reading property to Buckeye Partners.
August 2026: Consent judgments were entered in Superior Court.
The Tech Race
These settlements follow the state's 2018 lawsuit against Hess and Buckeye, marking the resolution of one of the longest-running environmental recovery efforts in the region. The outcome updates the state's historical portfolio of industrial liability claims.
The settlement ensures the permanent preservation of 600 acres of open space, benefiting the public through increased land conservation in Morris County and other regions. These areas will now be protected from development under binding environmental easements.
The takeaway
These settlements provide a template for resolving legacy contamination through a combination of cash remediation funds and land conservation. Observers should track the implementation of the conservation easements to verify the permanent protection of the 600-acre total land area.
Further reading
For broader context on state-led environmental conservation, read more at New Jersey Environmental.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRNJ Radio.
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