WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 1 that Slawson Exploration Company Inc. will settle allegations of violating the Clean Air Act during its oil and gas production activities in North Dakota.
According to the EPA, Slawson failed to adequately design, operate and maintain vapor control systems on storage tanks at its wells in North Dakota. The company operates roughly 170 well pads, including some on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.
“Safe, responsible and lawful development of domestic energy resources and technology is of great importance to a sustainable future for all Americans,” said assistant attorney general John C. Cruden for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
To resolve the allegations, Slawson will spend an estimated $4.1 million to upgrade its facilities and an estimated $2 million to fund environmental mitigation projects. Additionally, the company agreed to a $2.1 million civil penalty.
“This settlement puts next generation compliance technologies to work to reduce air pollution across communities in North Dakota, including on tribal lands,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance at the EPA. “EPA is committed to making sure that domestic energy development grows in a responsible way that protects public health and complies with the law.”