The Biden administration on April 20 said it had agreed on separate settlements worth about $25 million in total with three natural gas processors to reduce air pollution across 12 states, including in communities disproportionately hit by health-harming emissions.
The settlements announced by the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency require three companies - Williams Companies Inc, MPLX LP and WES DJ Gathering LLC - to pay a combined $9.25 million in civil penalties and make about $16 million in improvements at plants and compressor stations.
MPLX has agreed to enhancements in its operations at facilities in Utah, North Dakota, and Wyoming, said company spokesperson Jamal Kheiry, adding that many of the measures "exceed existing regulatory requirements."
The other companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The settlements addressed allegations that the companies violated federal and state clean air laws related to leak detection and repair requirements for natural gas processing plants at facilities that they own and operate.
The facilities emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases, DOJ said. VOCs contribute to smog, which worsens asthma and can make people vulnerable to illnesses such as pneumonia
The combined settlements will cut smog-producing air pollution by around 953 tons a year and greenhouse gases by 50,633 tons a year of carbon dioxide equivalent, DOJ said.
"Today’s announcement highlights this administration’s commitment to reduce harmful air pollution – including emissions that exacerbate climate change – and provide environmental justice for those disproportionately impacted,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim.
Under the settlements, the companies will spend about $16 million combined to minimize emissions. These commitments include installing equipment with fewer leaks, conducting audits and repairing leaks more quickly, the DOJ said.
The companies will improve training for leak detection and repair and have agreed to use optical gas imaging technology to improve the visual detection of leaks and quickly repair them.
Other states where the plants are include Colorado, West Virginia and Ohio.
Recommended Reading
SM Energy Marries Wildcatting and Analytics in the Oil Patch
2025-04-01 - As E&P SM Energy explores in Texas and Utah, Herb Vogel’s approach is far from a Hail Mary.
US Oil Rig Count Rises to Highest Since June
2025-04-04 - Baker Hughes said oil rigs rose by five to 489 this week, their highest since June, while gas rigs fell by seven, the most in a week since May 2023, to 96, their lowest since September.
EOG Secures Award to Explore Abu Dhabi for Unconventional Oil
2025-05-16 - U.S. shale giant EOG Resources will evaluate 900,000 acres in a hydrocarbon-rich basin in Abu Dhabi under a new concession agreement with ADNOC.
E&P Highlights: April 28, 2025
2025-04-28 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including field redevelopment in Iraq and an estimate of gas resources in Namibia.
NextEra: US Power Demand Will Call for Extra 71 Bcf/d Equivalent
2025-04-29 - NextEra Energy expects that of the total 450 GW of new electricity demand in the coming few years, 75 GW will be gas-fired—or some 12 Bcf/d. But turbines and skilled labor are needed.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.