There’s the California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, who informs Southern California residents who purchased gas from February 20, 2015, to November 10, 2015, to file their claims before the deadline of January 8, 2025, to receive any kind of payment from this antitrust settlement originated from the state.
This was all as a consequence of a lawsuit filed in 2020 by the California Department of Justice, in which Vitol and SK Energy Americas, “as well as their parent company, SK Trading International,” were accused of manipulating spot market gas prices in the state as a result of the explosion at the Torrance gas refinery in 2015. Bonta explains that manipulating gas prices permits artificially incurring more costs for consumer markets impacted by these events and thus profiting from the disruption created in the market by these entities.
According to him, “When companies conspire to unlawfully raise prices for consumers, my office steps in, just as we did with our litigation and settlement against two gas trading firms,” said Bonta in a statement. “As part of this settlement, I am proud to deliver money back to Californians who may have been impacted by gas price manipulation.”
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Unlike other gas trading firms, who made no admission of fault to settle, the agreement of $37.5 million means compensation for those consumers affected by the price shock. All eligible residents of California must file their claims before the monthly close instead.
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Who can submit a claim and how to apply
To be eligible, you must have purchased gas in one of the following Southern California counties during the specified period:
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Orange
- Riverside
- San Bernardino
- Kern
- Venture
- Santa Barbara
- San Luis Obispo
- Imperial
If conditions are satisfied, and the applicant thinks zero eligibility exists, they should go to vlc.calgaslitigation.com and fill out an online claim form. Those who require assistance or have further questions may reach the claims administrator at 1-877-725-7523 or through email at peoplesinfo@calgaslitigation.com.
It also provides the chance for consumers to request a claim form in physical format, which must be filled out and postmarked by January 8, 2025. Claims processes are relatively uncomplicated and straightforward such that eligible applicants can receive their compensation without any difficulties.
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What to expect in terms of payment
Given the legitimate claims, payments will be made to Californian residents electronically via platforms like PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, or through traditional paper checks. The sum of $37.5 million will be distributed among claimants after deducting administrative and legal expenses from the settlement fund. The exact amount to be received by an individual, therefore, will depend on how many claims there are, as it will be proportionately shared.
The settlement marks a breakthrough toward holding companies responsible for manipulating vital markets. For millions with payment eligibility in California, it’s an opportunity for residents to get paid back for money that they might have otherwise lost without knowing because of inflated gas prices in 2015.
Do not miss the opportunity to file a claim: Do so before the January 8, 2025, deadline.
