Federal government reaches $241 million settlement with Marathon Oil for air quality violations in North Dakota reservation
- The EPA and Marathon Oil have agreed to a $241 million settlement for air quality violations in North Dakota.
- The violations took place at Marathon Oil's operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.
- This settlement highlights the importance of environmental regulations and enforcement in protecting communities.
In a significant development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $241 million settlement with Marathon Oil for environmental violations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. This settlement, the largest ever civil penalty for Clean Air Act violations at stationary sources, aims to ensure cleaner air for the reservation and surrounding communities while holding Marathon accountable for its illegal pollution. The federal government's action comes as part of an EPA climate change enforcement initiative focusing on reducing methane emissions from oil and gas production and landfills. Marathon Oil, ranked as the country's 22nd-largest oil producer, has been identified as the seventh-largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas industry. The settlement includes a $64.5 million civil penalty, the largest-ever imposed for stationary source violations, and requires Marathon to invest $177 million in compliance measures to reduce harmful emissions from its facilities in North Dakota. This settlement is part of a series of efforts by the Biden administration targeting emissions from the oil and gas industry, with a penalty exceeding the total of 11 previous settlements combined. The complaint filed against Marathon Oil alleges Clean Air Act violations at nearly 90 facilities, resulting in thousands of tons of illegal pollution. The proposed consent decree, subject to a 30-day public comment period, has been welcomed by environmental watchdogs who emphasize the importance of holding oil companies accountable for their actions. Despite the settlement, Marathon Oil's recent acquisition by ConocoPhillips in a $17.1 billion deal appears unaffected by the news, indicating a minimal impact on investors. Overall, the settlement between the EPA and Marathon Oil underscores the government's commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and reducing harmful emissions from the oil and gas industry. The significant penalties imposed on Marathon serve as a warning to other companies to adhere to environmental rules and prioritize compliance to protect air quality, public health, and the global climate.