from the EPA's press release today:
Atlas Resources to Pay $84,506 Penalty to Settle Alleged Environmental Violations
PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 18, 2012)
-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Atlas
Resources LLC will pay an $84,506 penalty to settle alleged air and
hazardous chemical violations at its natural gas production facility in
Avella, Washington County, Pa.
EPA cited
the company for violating the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), a federal law designed to inform the public
and emergency responders about hazardous and toxic chemicals in their
communities. EPCRA requires facilities to
submit annual reports on regulated chemicals, and routine and accidental
chemical releases. The law also requires facilities to report on their
hazardous chemicals to state and local emergency response agencies. This
information helps communities and first responders to prepare for
chemical emergencies. Atlas was also cited for violating Clean
Air Act provisions which require regulated facilities to take steps to
reduce the risk of accidental releases of hazardous substances, and
minimize the consequences of any accidental releases that do occur.
EPA alleged that Atlas failed to provide
state and local emergency responders required information on hazardous
chemicals stored at the company’s Avella production facility during 2008
and 2009. The agency also alleged that Atlas did not comply with proper
storage and handling of natural gas condensate at the site. EPA’s
investigation at various Atlas production wells in Washington County
also indicated the presence of vapor releases from condensate tanks. As a
part of the settlement, Atlas did not admit or deny EPA’s allegations.
Currently, Atlas has discontinued
operation of its natural gas extraction wells in Washington County until
the company completes audits at eight of their production facilities
located there. These audits are being done to ensure compliance with
safeguards preventing accidental air releases and confirming that
operations are environmentally sound.
The Atlas facilities in Washington County to be audited are located in Hopewell Township and Cross Creek Township.
The company will conduct the audits based on EPA’s recently adopted New
Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for
hazardous air pollutants in the oil and gas sector. Compliance with
these industry and federal standards will help improve local air quality
and protect public health.
For more information on EPA’s air rules for the oil and natural gas industry http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/.
Glad to see some company get fined; it's been a long while coming; and glad to see they are shutting themselves down and doing an air audit and environment audit. Too bad they can't be shut down permanently alongside their fellow companies....
ReplyDelete