EPA v. ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC (8 FACILITIES)

Case summary

EPA REGION III ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER ON CONSENT ( ORDER ) TO ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC, THE OPERATOR OF EIGHT NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION FACILITIES LOCATED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. EPA'S OECEJ HAD CONDUCTEED A MULTIMEDIA INSPECTION OF THE FACILITIES ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2011, TO ASSESS COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112(r)(1) OF THE CAA, AMONG OTHER FEDERAL STATUTES. EPA INSPECTORS OBSERVED RELEASES OF VAPORS FROM THIEF HATCHES ON THE CONDENSATE TANKS AT THE FACILITIES. BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FACILITIES POSSIBLY WERE NOT BEING OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE OF SECTION 112(r) OF THE CAA. WITH THIS ORDER, ATLAS AGREED TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF APPLICABLE INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER ITS PRACTICES, TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT ARE IN COMPLIANCE, AND TO MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES. PENDING COMPLETION OF THE ORDER, ATLAS HAS SHUT IN ALL OF ITS NATURAL GAS EXTRACTION WELLS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. ISSUANCE OF THIS ORDER WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY DECREASING THE RISK OF RELEASES OF EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.

Defendants (1)

• ATLAS RESOURCES, LLCNamed in settlement

Facilities (8)

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PAD 50

  32-229 COUNTY PARK ROAD,, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044237536

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PAD 51

  541-727 COUNTY PARK ROAD, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044237554

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PADS 48, 76

  33-229 OLD TRAIL ROAD, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044237527

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PAD 17

  35-39 OLD TRAIL ROAD, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044237518

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PAD 53

  34-230 COUNTY PARK ROAD, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044237581

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PADS 6, 10, 16

  1-41 FOX ROAD, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044236742

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PAD 14

  187-407 FOX ROAD, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044237509

• ATLAS COWDEN WELL PADS 11, 12, 15

  185-452 FOX ROAD, AVELLA, PA, 15312

  Registry ID: 110044237493

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][1] — Prevention of Accidental Release/General Duty Clause
• CAA 112R — General Duty/Accidental Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC (8 FACILITIES)entered 2012-09-21

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2012-09-21Final Order Issued
• 2012-09-27Enforcement Action Data Entered