EPA v. GHENT INBESTMENTS, INC./BRONSTON, MIKE

Case summary

4/2/09 - FINDINGS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ISSUED. ON OCT 28, 2008, EPA CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION OF THE SUBJECT WELL AND FOUND IT TO BE ACTIVELY INJECTING. A SUBSEQUENT REVIEW OF THE EPA DATABASE AND FILES REVEALED THAT NO INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SUBJECT WELL HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO EPA. THE SUBJECT WELL IS EITHER NOT AUTHORIZED BY RULE OR BY PERMIT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, IS AUTHORIZED BY RULE BY IS PROHIBITED FROM INJECTING FOR FAILURE TO SUBMIT INVENTORY INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER. THEREFORE, RESPONDENT IS IN VIOLATION OF 40 CFR 144.11 FOR INJECTING INTO THE SUBJECT WELL WHICH IS NEITHER AUTHORIZED BY RULE NOR BY PERMIT, OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE IS IN VIOLATION OF 40 CFR 144.21(c) FOR INJECTING INTO THE SUBJECT WELL DESPITE HAVING NOT SUBMITTED INVENTORY INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER. ORDER REQUIRES: RESPONDENT IS HEREBY ORDERED TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE INJECTION INTO THE SUBJECT WELL. THEREFORE, RESPONDENT SHALL DO EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) SUBMIT A PLUGGING AND ABANDONMENT PLAN FOR EPA APPROVAL, THEN PLUG AND ABANDON THE WELL; OR 2) APPLY FOR A UIC PERMIT FOR THE SUBJECT WELL WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDER. WITHIN 60 DAYS, RESPONDENT SHALL SUBMIT ANY OIL AND BRINE PRODUCTION INFORMATION RECORDS FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS FOR THE SUBJECT WELL. WITHIN 60 DAYS, RESPONDENT SHALL SUBMIT MANIFEST DOCUMENTS OF ANY BRINE THAT WAS HAULED TO OR FROM THE SUBJECT WELL FOR DISPOSAL, IDENTIFYING THE SOURCE, DISPOSAL LOCATION, AND OWNERSHIP OF THE DISPOSAL LOCATION.

Defendants (2)

• GHENT INVESTMENTS, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• BRONSTON, MIKENamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• WM & JJ PRATER LEASE

  37.6662 N -82.99014 W, SALYERSVILLE, KY, 41465

  Registry ID: 110039165603

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1422/1423 — UIC Regulations Classes I - V

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• GHENT INBESTMENTS, INC./BRONSTON, MIKEentered 2009-04-02

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2009-04-02Final Order Issued
• 2009-05-26Enforcement Action Data Entered