Hilcorp assessed fine for hazardous waste violations on Alaska’s North Slope • Alaska Beacon
Hilcorp assessed fine for hazardous waste violations on Alaska’s North Slope Alaska Beacon
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Hilcorp Energy Co. Fined for Violations of Hazardous Waste Management
Hilcorp Energy Co.’s North Slope unit has been fined $223,868 for several violations of the federal law that governs the management of hazardous wastes, the Environmental Protection Agency said on Wednesday.
Background
The violations occurred at the Prudhoe Bay oil field, which Hilcorp has operated since 2020 after acquiring BP’s Alaska assets. The violations came to light in EPA inspections conducted in 2021 and 2023 that checked for compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, according to the consent agreement signed by EPA and Hilcorp officials on Sept. 30.
Specific Violations
Some of the violations concern the identification, storage, and disposal of various materials and items. Among them were chromium-tainted leather gloves, used batteries, and containers for used oil, according to the consent agreement.
Chromium is a naturally occurring element that is used in some industrial operations. In high concentrations, it can be dangerous to people; it is linked to cancer and other health problems. The EPA has set a threshold at which chromium is considered toxic. Chromium in the discarded gloves exceeded that level, according to the consent agreement.
Other violations for which Hilcorp was fined concerned a failure to properly train workers and a failure to update a contingency plan, according to the consent agreement.
Importance of Compliance
Hilcorp, a privately held company, cooperated during the settlement negotiations and has taken corrective action, EPA’s Seattle-based Region 10 office said in a statement.
Ed Kowalski, who directs the federal agency’s regional enforcement and compliance activity, stressed the importance of abiding by the rules concerning the management of hazardous wastes.
“These regulations exist to protect human health and the environment,” Kowalski said in the agency statement. “When companies fail to make an accurate hazardous waste determination and don’t label containers or maintain an accurate inventory of hazardous waste, they can put their employees, the general public, and the environment in danger.”
Commitment to Improvement
In a statement, Hilcorp spokesperson Luke Miller cited some of the improvements the company has made.
“Hilcorp is committed to safely and responsibly developing Alaska’s resources. Moving forward, we will manage all leather gloves, used and unused, as hazardous waste, similar to how we manage used solvents, paints, and chemicals,” he said in the emailed statement.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and pollution.
-
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
- Indicator: Proportion of bodies of water with good water quality.
-
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
- Indicator: Material footprint, showing the amount of resources used per unit of economic output.
-
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- Indicator: Number of companies complying with international frameworks for the management of chemicals and wastes.
-
SDG 14: Life Below Water
- Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- Indicator: Amount of marine debris and nutrient pollution in coastal and marine areas.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and pollution. |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | Proportion of bodies of water with good water quality. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. | Material footprint, showing the amount of resources used per unit of economic output. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Number of companies complying with international frameworks for the management of chemicals and wastes. |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. | Amount of marine debris and nutrient pollution in coastal and marine areas. |
Analysis
-
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article highlights violations related to the management of hazardous wastes, which can pose risks to human health. SDG 3 aims to reduce deaths and illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals and pollution, making it relevant to the issues discussed.
The specific target under SDG 3 that can be identified is Target 3.9, which aims to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
The article does not provide specific indicators to measure progress towards this target, but the number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and pollution can be used as an indicator.
-
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The article mentions violations related to the storage and disposal of various materials, including used oil and chromium-tainted leather gloves. Improper management of hazardous wastes can lead to pollution and contamination of water sources. SDG 6 aims to improve water quality and reduce pollution, making it relevant to the issues discussed.
The specific target under SDG 6 that can be identified is Target 6.3, which aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
The article does not provide specific indicators to measure progress towards this target, but the proportion of bodies of water with good water quality can be used as an indicator.
-
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article mentions violations related to the failure to properly train workers and update a contingency plan. SDG 8 aims to promote decent work and economic growth, making it relevant to the issues discussed.
The specific target under SDG 8 that can be identified is Target 8.4, which aims to improve resource efficiency in consumption and production and decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
The article does not provide specific indicators to measure progress towards this target, but the material footprint, showing the amount of resources used per unit of economic output, can be used as an indicator.
-
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article highlights violations related to the management of hazardous wastes, which is a key aspect of responsible consumption and production. SDG 12 aims to achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes, making it relevant to the issues discussed.
The specific target under SDG 12 that can be identified is Target 12.4, which aims to achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle and reduce their release to air, water, and soil.
The article does not provide specific indicators to measure progress towards this target, but the number of companies complying with international frameworks for the management of chemicals and wastes can be used as an indicator.
-
SDG 14: Life Below Water
The article mentions violations related to the disposal of various materials, which can contribute to marine pollution. SDG 14 aims to prevent and reduce marine pollution, making it relevant to the issues discussed.
The specific target under SDG 14 that can be identified is Target 14.1, which aims to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
The article does not provide specific indicators to measure progress towards this target, but the amount of marine debris and nutrient pollution in coastal and marine areas can be used as an indicator.
Source: alaskabeacon.com
