ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has reached a record settlement with a Texas-based company over air pollution violations at natural gas gathering sites in the Permian Basin.
The $24.5 million agreement with Ameredev announced Monday is the largest settlement the state Environment Department has ever reached for a civil oil and gas violation. It stems from the flaring of billions of cubic feet of natural gas that the company had extracted over an 18-month period but wasn’t able to transport to downstream processors.
Environment Secretary James Kenney said in an interview that the flared gas would have been enough to have supplied nearly 17,000 homes for a year.
“It’s completely the opposite of the way it’s supposed to work,” Kenney said. “Had they not wasted New Mexico’s resources, they could have put that gas to use.”
The flaring, or burning off of the gas, resulted in more than 7.6 million pounds of excess emissions that included hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other gases that state regulators said are known to cause respiratory issues and contribute to climate change.
Nigella Lawson, 64, reveals she would 'never take Ozempic' as a weight
Winner of North Macedonia's parliamentary election to seek governing coalition partner
Iowa law allows police to arrest and deport migrants. Civil rights groups are suing
Pregnancy app used by the NHS accused of 'imposing gender ideology'
DEAR JANE: I had a horrifying encounter with my cousin at a spa
First round of PGA Tour Champions' Regions Tradition starts after weather delay
I visited the most crowded island on Earth
Man United vs Arsenal: Why Arteta's success could be a blueprint for United
I visited the most crowded island on Earth
I'm a vet and you should beware of these 4 garden plants that are harmful to dogs