89 FR 229 pg. 93661 - Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act
Type: NOTICEVolume: 89Number: 229Page: 93661
Page: 93661FR document: [FR Doc. 2024-27780 Filed 11-26-24; 8:45 am]
Agency: Justice Department
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act
On November 21, 2024, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed Consent Decree with the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in the lawsuit entitled United States and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Hilcorp Energy Company, Civil Action No. 2:24-cv-01596 (W.D. Pa).
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and civil penalties for violations of the Clean Air Act and its implementing regulations at oil and natural gas production facilities owned and operated by Hilcorp Energy Company ("Hilcorp") in Lawrence and Mercer Counties, Pennsylvania. The violations relate to alleged failures to adequately design, operate, and maintain storage tank vapor control systems, resulting in emissions of volatile organic compounds ("VOC") and other pollutants to the atmosphere.
The proposed consent decree covers nine Hilcorp facilities in Pennsylvania. The proposed decree requires Hilcorp to perform injunctive relief, including conducting engineering evaluations of the vapor control systems at each of the controlled well pads to ensure that they are adequately sized and designed, and complete an environmental mitigation project. Hilcorp must also pay a $1,275,000 civil penalty. Entering into and fully complying with the proposed consent decree would release Hilcorp from past civil liability for violations of Clean Air Act regulations applicable to new and modified storage vessels and related state law at the facilities subject to the proposed consent decree.
The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on the proposed Consent Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and should refer to United States and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Hilcorp Energy Company, D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-2-1-12372. All comments must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the publication date of this notice. Comments may be submitted either by email or by mail:
| To submit comments: | Send them to: |
|---|---|
| By email | pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov . |
| By mail | Assistant Attorney General, U.S. DOJ-ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044-7611. |
During the public comment period, the proposed Consent Decree may be examined and downloaded at this Justice Department website: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. If you require assistance accessing the proposed Consent Decree, you may request assistance by email or by mail to the addresses provided above for submitting comments.
Jason A. Dunn,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2024-27780 Filed 11-26-24; 8:45 am]
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