EPA v. PDC ENERGY INC

Case summary

The EPA seeks to settle violations of the Colorado State Implementation Plan, 40 C.F.R. Section 52.320(c)(i)(A), Subpart G codifies Colorado Regulation 7 (Reg 7) Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds, and Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Oil and Gas Operations (Section XII), which restrict volatile organic compound emission from oil and gas tank systems in Colorado. EPA, the Department of Justice, and the State of Colorado today announced a settlement with PDC Energy, Inc., that will comprehensively identify and address issues with vapor control systems at PDC?s condensate storage tank batteries. The tank batteries are all located in a region that has not met EPA?s national air quality standards for ground-level ozone. In addition to implementing measures that will ensure its vapor control systems in this area are properly designed, sized, operated, and maintained, PDC has agreed to perform significant environmental mitigation projects at many of its well pads. When fully implemented, the settlement is expected to reduce harmful air pollution by more than 2,025 tons per year. This settlement is part of the EPA?s national enforcement initiative to reduce public health and environmental impacts from energy extraction activities.

Defendants (1)

• PDC ENERGY INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (25)

• PDC HETTINGER 1; 33, 44-18

  NESE SEC. 18-T5N-R64W, KERSEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110017681579

• PDC GATEWOOD 3, 6-1

  NENW SEC. 1-T5N-R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110071723903

• PDC - BINDER 22, 32-10DU & 10OU, CDU...

  SENW SEC 10 T4N R67W, MILLIKEN AREA, CO, 80543

  Registry ID: 110055606517

• PDC MAROSTICA PAD

  NWNW SEC. 21-T4N-R67W, JOHNSTOWN AREA, CO, 80534

  Registry ID: 110045949033

• PDC ENERGY - KOEHLER 1, 2

  NWSE SEC 22 T6N R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110039630744

• PDC - BOHLENDER 1, 43-20

  SESE SEC 20 T6N R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110017679911

• PDC - BOHLENDER 1, 43-20

  SESE SEC 20 T6N R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110017679911

• PDC ENERGY - KOEHLER 1, 2

  NWSE SEC 22 T6N R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110039630744

• PDC ENERGY - KOEHLER 1, 2

  NWSE SEC 22 T6N R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110039630744

• PDC - FIELDS 11-34/ FIELDS NELSON 34-1/.

  SWNW 34 T5N R67W, MILLIKEN AREA, CO, 80543

  Registry ID: 110017671241

• PDC GATEWOOD 3, 6-1

  NENW SEC. 1-T5N-R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110071723903

• PDC - BOHLENDER 1, 43-20

  SESE SEC 20 T6N R65W, GREELEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110017679911

• PDC - BINDER 22, 32-10DU & 10OU, CDU...

  SENW SEC 10 T4N R67W, MILLIKEN AREA, CO, 80543

  Registry ID: 110055606517

• PETROLEUM DEV WASTE SERVICES 21-35

  SEC 35 T3N R64W, KEENESBURG, 4.9 MI N OF, CO, 80642

  Registry ID: 110017681061

• PDC HETTINGER 1; 33, 44-18

  NESE SEC. 18-T5N-R64W, KERSEY AREA, CO, 80631

  Registry ID: 110017681579

• …and 10 more

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PDC ENERGY INCentered 2018-02-06

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $1,250,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 2016-09-27Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2016-10-07Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2017-06-26Complaint Filed With Court
• 2018-02-06Final Order Lodged
• 2018-02-06Final Order Entered
• 2022-12-01Enforcement Action Closed
• 2022-12-01Air Resolved