Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of March 31, 2025, with the participation of management, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Act, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Act). Based upon that evaluation, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were operating effectively as of March 31, 2025.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Act, in the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. 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 $1 million threshold to disclose certain proceedings arising under federal, state or local environmental laws when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings. During the first quarter of 2025, there were no new matters and one material development with respect to matters previously reported. Except as otherwise set forth herein, 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 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.
Matters Previously Reported (unresolved or resolved since the 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
As described further in the “Legal Proceedings” section of Note 13—Contingencies and Commitments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, on February 17, 2022, Propel Fuels, Inc. (Propel Fuels) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda (the Propel Court), alleging that Phillips 66 Company misappropriated trade secrets related to Propel Fuels’ renewable fuels business. On October 16, 2024, a jury returned a verdict against Phillips 66 Company for $604.9 million in compensatory damages and issued a willfulness finding. In 2025, the Propel Court is expected to rule on motions filed by Propel Fuels seeking exemplary damages and attorneys’ fees. Propel Fuels asked the Propel Court to grant treble damages and Phillips 66 Company filed a brief in opposition to that request. A hearing on the exemplary damages was held on March 4, 2025. Also in 2025, the Propel Court is expected to rule on motions to be filed by Phillips 66 Company for a judgment in its favor as a matter of law, or in the alternative to reduce the jury’s verdict or to grant a new trial. Phillips 66 Company denies any wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend its position. While Phillips 66 Company believes the jury verdict is not legally or factually supported and intends to pursue post-judgment remedies and file an appeal, there can be no assurances that such defense efforts will be successful. To the extent Phillips 66 Company is required to pay exemplary damages, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC (ETCO)
See the “Dakota Access, LLC (Dakota Access) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC (ETCO)” section of Note 7—Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables and Note 13—Contingencies and Commitments, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Legal Proceedings and other regulatory actions.
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