Oil firm settles with US and New Mexico over pollution issues
A Texas-based oil company has agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement to tackle air pollution in America's top oil-producing area, with measures aimed at reducing emissions.
Susan Montoya Bryan reports for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Apache Corporation will pay $4 million in fines and invest more than $5 million in emission reduction at its Permian Basin operations.
- The settlement addresses Apache's failure to capture and control emissions, with violations detected via advanced surveillance methods.
- This effort is part of broader regulatory actions to enforce Clean Air Act compliance in the oil sector, signaling a significant push for environmental accountability.
Key quote:
“The ozone levels are rising, and you know, I think this is that moment where we have to hold up the mirror to industry and say, ‘If you don’t like what you see, it’s a reflection of your own effort.”
— James Kenney, New Mexico environment secretary
Why this matters:
This settlement is part of increased regulatory scrutiny on fossil fuel industry practices, aiming for a cleaner, healthier environment amidst rising ozone levels and greenhouse gas emissions. The harms from the fracking boom go well beyond cranking up global temperatures.
