EPA v. PDC ENERGY

Case summary

Section311(b)(3) ofthe Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1321(b)(3), prohibits discharging oil into or upon the navigable waters of the United States in such quantities as may be harmful as determined under section 31l(b)(4) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1321(b)(4). For purposes of section 3l l(b)(4) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1321(b)(4), the EPA has determined, in 40 C.F.R. § 11 0.3, that a discharge of oil may be harmful to the public health or welfare or the enviromnent of the United States if that discharge (a) violates applicable water quality standards or (b) causes a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining shorelines or causes a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface of the water or upon the adjoining shorelines.Section 311(b)(4) ofthe Act, 33 U.S.C. § 132l(b)(4), directed the President to make the detem1ination referenced in paragraph 7, above. The President delegated the authority to make this determination to the Administrator of the EPA by Executive Order No. 12777 (56 Fed. Reg. 54757, October 21, 1991) and Executive Order No. 11735 (38 Fed. Reg. 21243, August 7, 1973).

Defendants (1)

• PDC ENERGYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (14)

• PDC ENERGY. - BONERTZ 41-10

  NE NE SEC. 10, T5N, R65W, GREELEY, CO, 80632

  Registry ID: 110017681702

• PDC ENERGY. - BONERTZ 41-10

  NE NE SEC. 10, T5N, R65W, GREELEY, CO, 80632

  Registry ID: 110017681702

• PDC ENERGY - HAHN 13&14-27

  SW SW SEC 27 T5N R67W, MILLIKEN, CO, 80543

  Registry ID: 110021127877

• PDC- PETERSON 43-13

  NESE SEC 18 T6N R64W, LUCERNE, CO, 80646

  Registry ID: 110017682220

• PDC ENERGY. - BONERTZ 41-10

  NE NE SEC. 10, T5N, R65W, GREELEY, CO, 80632

  Registry ID: 110017681702

• PDC ENERGY - HAHN 23&24-27

  SE SW SEC 27 T5N R67W, MILLIKEN, CO, 80543

  Registry ID: 110021140148

• PDC ENERGY - HAHN 23&24-27

  SE SW SEC 27 T5N R67W, MILLIKEN, CO, 80543

  Registry ID: 110021140148

• PDC ENERGY. - BONERTZ 41-10

  NE NE SEC. 10, T5N, R65W, GREELEY, CO, 80632

  Registry ID: 110017681702

• PDC- PETERSON 43-13

  NESE SEC 18 T6N R64W, LUCERNE, CO, 80646

  Registry ID: 110017682220

• PDC- PETERSON 43-13

  NESE SEC 18 T6N R64W, LUCERNE, CO, 80646

  Registry ID: 110017682220

• PDC ENERGY. - BONERTZ 41-10

  NE NE SEC. 10, T5N, R65W, GREELEY, CO, 80632

  Registry ID: 110017681702

• PDC ENERGY- HELDT 12-18

  SWNW SEC 18, T6N, R64W, LUCERNE, CO, 80646

  Registry ID: 110043251450

• PDC- PETERSON 43-13

  NESE SEC 18 T6N R64W, LUCERNE, CO, 80646

  Registry ID: 110017682220

• PDC ENERGY. - BONERTZ 41-10

  NE NE SEC. 10, T5N, R65W, GREELEY, CO, 80632

  Registry ID: 110017681702

Statutes cited

• CWA 311J — SPCC and/or Federal Response Plan Violations
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit
• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PDC ENERGYentered 2012-12-20

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $80,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2012-12-20Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2012-12-20Final Order Issued
• 2013-01-15Enforcement Action Closed
• 2013-01-25Enforcement Action Data Entered