Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. Additionally, we have elected a $300,000 threshold to disclose certain proceedings arising under federal, state or local environmental laws when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings. The below matters are disclosed in accordance with that requirement. We do not currently believe that the eventual outcome of any matters previously reported, but still unresolved, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Further, our U.S. refineries are implementing two separate consent decrees, regarding alleged violations of the Federal Clean Air Act, with the EPA, five states and one local air pollution agency. Some of the requirements and limitations contained in the decrees provide for stipulated penalties for violations. Stipulated penalties under the decrees are not automatic, but must be requested by one of the agency signatories. As part of periodic reports under the decrees or other reports required by permits or regulations, we occasionally report matters that could be subject to a request for stipulated penalties. If a specific request for stipulated penalties meeting the reporting threshold set forth in SEC rules is made pursuant to these decrees based on a given reported exceedance, we will separately report that matter and the amount of the proposed penalty.

Index to Financial Statements

We received such a request in the first quarter of 2023, and we expect to receive a final demand for, alleged stipulated penalties arising from self-reported Clean Air Act violations at our Alliance, Borger, Sweeny and Wood River refineries. The proposed penalties exceed $500,000 and would be pursued pursuant to the consent decree referenced above and a related Wood River Refinery consent decree. There have been no further developments with respect to this matter.

New Matters

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), served Phillips 66 Company (as successor to Tosco) and approximately 50 other potentially responsible parties with Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Determinations and Orders and Remedial Action Orders in November 2016 related to historic waste sent to certain California landfill sites that were operated by a now bankrupt party. Since that time, we have been coordinating with other potentially responsible parties to negotiate a proposed settlement with DTSC regarding funding future operations, maintenance, and financial assurance for post-closure activities at the sites. As part of the settlement process and Consent Decree in the matter, in December 2023 we agreed to pay approximately $4 million in full satisfaction of our potential liability at the Vine Hill landfill complex located in Martinez, California. The company does not expect any future financial liabilities related to the Vine Hill landfill complex to be material.

On December 1, 2023, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) issued a demand for penalties that exceeds the $300,000 reporting threshold. The penalty demand proposes to resolve seven Notices of Violation (NOVs) issued between 2020 and 2022 for alleged violations of air permit and air pollution regulatory requirements at the Los Angeles Refinery. We are working with SCAQMD to negotiate and resolve these NOVs.

Matters Previously Reported (unresolved or resolved since the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023)

In 2018, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a Compliance Advisory in relation to an improperly permitted facility flare and related air emissions from flare operations at one of DCP Operating Company LP’s (DCP Operating LP) gas processing plants, which DCP Operating LP self-disclosed to CDPHE in December 2017. Following information exchanges and discussions with CDPHE, a resolution was proposed pursuant to which the plant’s air permit would be revised, and DCP Operating LP would be assessed an administrative penalty and economic benefit payment. A revised air permit was issued in May 2019, but the parties had not yet entered into a final settlement agreement to complete the matter. Subsequently, in July 2020, CDPHE issued a NOV in relation to amine treater emissions at this plant, which DCP Operating LP self-disclosed to CDPHE in April 2020. Two additional and related NOVs were then issued in 2021 and 2023. DCP Operating LP and the CDPHE have reached a tentative agreement to resolve these matters for aggregate monetary civil penalties of approximately $4 million. As part of the settlement, DCP Operating LP will install emissions management equipment that will address the alleged violations. A final order to resolve these matters is expected to be issued during the first quarter of 2024.

See “Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC (ETCO)” section of Note 8—Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables and Note 16—Contingencies and Commitments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional information regarding Legal Proceedings and other regulatory actions.