EPA v. Penn Energy Resources LLC

Case summary

On June 9, 2023, EPA referred a civil judicial action under the CAA to the DOJ against PennEnergy Resources LLC (?PennEnergy?) for violations of Sections 111(e) and 502(a) of the Act, and the Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities set forth at 40 C.F.R. Part 60, subparts OOOO and OOOOa (NSPS OOOO/OOOOa), at 34 of its natural gas production facilities located in Butler, Beaver and Lawrence Counties, Pennsylvania. PennEnergy is a privately-owned oil and gas company headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with natural gas extraction and production operations consisting of approximately 370 wells at 107 oil and gas facilities in western PA and Ohio. The referral requests DOJ?s assistance in seeking an appropriate civil penalty and injunctive relief from the company, including, but not limited to, requiring PennEnergy to conduct design evaluations, modeling, third-party verification, modifications of facilities, additional monitoring, and updated operation and maintenance programs at its facilities, which EPA estimates would result in VOC emissions reductions of hundreds of TPY. PADEP has expressed interest in joining this matter as a co-plaintiff. Based on the EJSCREEN analysis for each of the 34 facilities, no environmental justice concerns were found.

Defendants (1)

• Penn Energy Resources LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (34)

• BLOOM UNIT

  949 WHITESTOWN RD, BUTLER, PA, 16001

  Registry ID: 110070386045

• CEASER WELL PAD

  636 YELLOW CREEK RD, HARMONY, PA, 16037

  Registry ID: 110071498314

• FLEEGER 2 UNIT

  115 CHRISTY RD, WEST SUNBURY, PA, 16061

  Registry ID: 110070386331

• RE GAS DEV LLC/BELL PROPERTIES WELL PAD

  155 LUTZ RD, ZELIENOPLE, PA, 16063

  Registry ID: 110069569069

• HAMILTON UNIT

  517 SCOTT RIDGE RD, HARMONY, PA, 16037

  Registry ID: 110070386049

• KERN UNIT

  205 W BREWSTER RD, BUTLER, PA, 16001

  Registry ID: 110070386339

• WACK WELL PAD

  425 SCOTT RIDGE RD, HARMONY, PA, 16037

  Registry ID: 110071498271

• JRGL WELLPAD

  160 EMMA LN, HARMONY, PA, 16037

  Registry ID: 110071498713

• HUFNAGEL WELL PAD

  801 PLEASANT HILL RD, PERRY, PA, 16051

  Registry ID: 110071498272

• GRUBBS WELL PAD

  754A PERRY HWY, HARMONY, PA, 16037-8714

  Registry ID: 110071498714

• BURR UNIT

  175 LOWER HARMONY RD, PROSPECT, PA, 16052

  Registry ID: 110070386337

• MICHAEL UNIT

  1047 EVANS CITY RD, RENFREW, PA, 16053

  Registry ID: 110070386330

• MICHAEL UNIT

  1047 EVANS CITY RD, RENFREW, PA, 16053

  Registry ID: 110070386330

• RENICK

  135 RIDER CHURCH RD, WEST SUNBURY, PA, 16061

  Registry ID: 110070386047

• KERN UNIT

  205 W BREWSTER RD, BUTLER, PA, 16001

  Registry ID: 110070386339

• …and 19 more

Statutes cited

• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards
• CAA 502 — Operating Permits (Title V)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Penn Energy Resources LLCentered 2025-02-10

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $1,000,000 · State/local: $1,000,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 2023-06-09Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2023-09-25Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-02-10Final Order Entered
• 2025-02-10Air Resolved
• 2025-02-10Complaint Filed With Court
• 2025-02-10Final Order Lodged
• 2025-02-10Enforcement Action Closed