Caltex Kaikohe To Remain Open For Limited Time

Caltex Kaikohe To Remain Open For Limited Time

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 26 June 2009 – Chevron New Zealand will defer the temporary closure of Caltex Kaikohe until Friday 4 September, following the intervention of Northland MP John Carter to ensure the company had access to regional environmental data that allowed a more detailed risk assessment to be made.

"We have been working closely with Mr Carter, the Northland Regional Council and the Kaikohe community for the last two weeks to examine the specific environmental conditions in Kaikohe, and to consider all of the alternatives to keep fuel supply going," said Chevron spokesperson Sharon Buckland.

The company has been weighing up the conflicting community priorities of protecting the environment versus maintaining a continuous supply of fuel in Kaikohe.

John Carter said he was delighted with the outcome, but cautioned that the Caltex station could only continue to stay open provided it did not have a petrol or diesel leak in the meantime.

"If that were to happen, our environmental protection laws would require it to shut immediately," he said.

Chevron said the Northland Regional Council was assisting it with siting monitoring bores around the underground tanks, for early detection of any potential leak. The company will also step up its monitoring programme to protect the surrounding environment.

Chevron markets the Caltex brand in New Zealand, with nearly 300 service stations and Star Mart convenience stores throughout the country. Chevron New Zealand is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. The company’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of approximately 62,000 employees who operate across the energy spectrum. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif, USA. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

ENDS

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