EPA v. Carbon CA Hamp Lease Spill ESA

Case summary

A spill of Oil and Produced Water occurred on or about November 18, 2025 from the Carbon CA Hamp Lease, resulting in violations of the Clean Water Act Water Quality Standards and caused impacts to the Santa Clara River and adjoining shorelines. U.S. EPA, CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, CA Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, as well as Ventura County responded to the spill and participated in the recovery and cleanup process. EPA Region 9 Oil Program issued a CWA 311 Oil Spill Expedited Settlement Agreement (ESA) to Carbon CA as a result of the spill and a penalty of $2,500. Carbon CA paid the penalty, confirmed they had returned to compliance with the SPCC Regulations applicable to their facility, and completed a successful clean up operation.

Defendants (2)

• Luke FaithNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Carbon CANamed in complaint

Facilities (1)

• CARBON CALIFORNIA HAMP LEASE

  15633 OJAI ROAD, SANTA PAULA, CA, 93060

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Carbon CA Hamp Lease Spill ESAentered 2026-09-17

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $2,500

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2026-09-17Enforcement Action Closed
• 2026-09-17Final Order Issued
• 2026-09-28Enforcement Action Data Entered