07/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/05/2024 09:48
July 5, 2024
"All companies must comply with the Clean Air Act, including those in the Permian Basin that are contributing to the energy needs of our country," said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. "These large-scale inspections demonstrate EPA's commitment to preventing VOC and methane emissions in the Permian Basin."
"The results of our federal and state oil and gas investigations are cause for alarm, with a meager 40% compliance rate," Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said. "With the impacts of climate change ravaging our state and air quality degrading, we have no choice but to increase sanctions on polluters until we see a commitment to change behavior."
The inspections took place at eight companies with multiple facilities in the New Mexico Permian Basin area: XTO Energy, Inc, Chevron U.S.A. Inc, Permian Resources, Earthstone Energy, Inc, Tap Rock, Marathon, Franklin Mountain Energy, Inc, and Kaiser Francis Oil Company. Additionally, 112 of these facilities are located in communities with environmental justice concerns due to exposure to higher levels of pollution such as ozone. For more information on these specific inspections, please view our New Mexico enforcement webpage.
For more information about EPA's enforcement program and how we address pollution problems please visit the agency's enforcement website.
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