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. |
Fury as Columbia University protesters stage insurrectionFord recalls Maverick pickups in US because tail lights can go dark, increasing the risk of a crashLawmakers want the Chiefs and Royals to come to Kansas, but a stadium plan fizzledBritish police officer faces terror charge for showing support for Hamas on WhatsApp30 people are injured when a trailer overturns in southwestern GermanyBritish police officer faces terror charge for showing support for Hamas on WhatsAppHeavy rains in Brazil’s south kill at least 8 people, leave 21 missing, civil defense saysAn Alabama Senate committee votes to reverse course, fund summer food program for lowFAFSA financial aid rollout leaves college dreams in limboMICHAEL MOSLEY: How ultra