A Texas energy company will pay $1.3 million over pollution in the Permian Basin, EPA says

Oil Company in Permian Basin Agrees to Pay Penalties and Reduce Pollution

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Introduction

Callon Permian LLC, a Houston-based oil company operating in the Permian Basin, has agreed to pay $1.3 million in penalties and implement new measures to reduce pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Non-compliance and Environmental Impact

• Callon Permian failed to comply with requirements for flares, tanks, and combustors, as well as general requirements of Texas’ federally approved plan to improve air quality.
• The company must now decrease excess emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are known to contribute to climate change and health problems.
• Methane is a greenhouse gas that accounts for about 20% of global emissions, while VOCs can cause asthma, lung infection, bronchitis, and cancer.

Measures for Pollution Reduction

1. Callon Permian is expected to incorporate site-specific changes in all 13 of its facilities.
2. The company will introduce inspections, equipment upgrades, permitting, and operations reviews to reduce emissions.

These measures could potentially reduce as much as 1.2 million pounds of VOCs and 4.6 million pounds of methane emissions, according to the EPA.

Environmental Protection and Accountability

The EPA stated that this settlement will help protect residents of the Permian Basin from hazardous emissions and sends a strong message to facilities in the area that violate the health standards outlined in the Clean Air Act.

Company Commitments and Response

Callon Permian did not respond to a request for comment. However, the company’s website features an inventory of commitments to sustainability, including plans to slash emissions and routine flaring to negligible percentages by 2024.

Continued Monitoring and Enforcement

The EPA’s efforts to identify companies violating pollution regulations continue, with flyovers using infrared cameras to monitor “super-emitters” of methane.

• The flyover in the Permian Basin last year resulted in the identification of emissions.
• In March, a New Mexico oil producer faced a similar fine by the EPA for violating pollution regulations.

The EPA remains committed to delivering cleaner air for communities by holding companies accountable through enforcement and compliance. The flyovers are vital in identifying facilities responsible for the bulk of these emissions and determining where reductions are most urgently needed, according to Earthea Nance, an EPA administrator monitoring Texas.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Indicator: Reduction in methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
   • Indicator: Reduction in VOCs emissions to improve air quality and reduce health problems

Analysis

The article discusses a Houston-based oil company, Callon Permian LLC, that has agreed to pay $1.3 million in penalties and implement measures to reduce pollution in the Permian Basin. The company failed to comply with requirements for flares, tanks, and combustors, as well as general air quality improvement requirements in Texas. As a result, Callon Permian must now decrease excess emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, while VOCs are known to cause health problems and contribute to smog formation. The reduction of these emissions aligns with SDG 13: Climate Action, which aims to combat climate change and its impacts. Specifically, Target 13.2 calls for integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. The article mentions that the measures implemented by Callon Permian could reduce as much as 1.2 million pounds of VOCs and 4.6 million pounds of methane emissions, indicating progress towards this target.

The reduction in VOCs emissions also relates to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Target 3.9 aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. By reducing VOCs emissions, air quality improves, leading to a decrease in health problems such as asthma, lung infection, bronchitis, and cancer.

The article mentions the specific indicators of reduction in VOCs and methane emissions. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. The EPA expects Callon Permian to incorporate site-specific changes in all 13 of its facilities to achieve these reductions.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: texastribune.org

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