XTO Energy Inc., Clean Air Act Violations, Pennsylvania 2024

Grimy Times has learned that XTO Energy Inc., an oil and gas operator, has agreed to resolve alleged Clean Air Act and Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act violations involving their oil and gas production operations in Pennsylvania. The alleged violations were identified through field investigations conducted in 2018 and 2019.

The settlement requires XTO Energy Inc. to pay a $4 million civil penalty, with each of the $4 million amounts split equally between the United States and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which is a co-plaintiff in both cases. This is not the first time XTO Energy Inc. has faced allegations of violating environmental laws; the company has a history of non-compliance in other states.

“These actions are the result of our continuing efforts to ensure that oil and gas operators comply with the Clean Air Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The commitments under the settlements will significantly reduce pollution from these companies’ operations, including volatile organic compounds that contribute to ground-level ozone, and methane, a potent greenhouse gas.”

XTO Energy Inc. must undertake a project to mitigate harm attributable to their alleged violations. Specifically, by Dec. 31, 2027, XTO will be required to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to identify the heaviest polluting abandoned oil and gas wells in western Pennsylvania and spend at least $1.4 million to plug or remediate them. This project will result in the reduction of over 1,960 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year released as methane.

The settlement also addresses allegations that XTO Energy Inc. failed to comply with federal and state requirements to capture and control air emissions from 11 of its oil and gas production facilities in Butler County. EPA identified the alleged violations through field investigations conducted in 2018 and 2019.

XTO Energy Inc. must also undertake compliance measures to achieve major reductions in harmful emissions at their oil and gas production facilities in Butler County, Lawrence County, and Mercer County facilities. This is a significant step in the right direction for environmental protection in the state.

XTO Energy Inc. has agreed to pay a $4 million civil penalty and undertake compliance measures to reduce harmful emissions. This settlement is a result of the ongoing efforts of the Justice Department and the EPA to ensure that oil and gas operators comply with the Clean Air Act.

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