(AGENPARL) - Roma, 5 Luglio 2024 - (AGENPARL) – ven 05 luglio 2024 EPA and NMED Inspections Identify Widespread Emissions at Oil and Gas Facilities in the Permian Basin Area
DALLAS, TEXAS (July 5, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recently posted the reports for 124 facilities the two agencies inspected in the New Mexico Permian Basin area in April. Fourteen EPA inspectors and five NMED inspectors took part in these joint inspections and concluded a total of 75 of the facilities—60 percent—had emissions of Volatile Emission Compounds (VOC) and could be subject to penalties and other enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). VOCs contribute to the formation of ozone (smog), which can result in health problems such as asthma, lung infections, bronchitis, and cancer.  
“All companies must comply with the Clean Air Act, including those in the Permian Basin that are contributing to the energy needs of our country,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “These large-scale inspections demonstrate EPA’s commitment to preventing VOC and methane emissions in the Permian Basin.” 
“The results of our federal and state oil and gas investigations are cause for alarm, with a meager 40% compliance rate,” Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said. “With the impacts of climate change ravaging our state and air quality degrading, we have no choice but to increase sanctions on polluters until we see a commitment to change behavior.”  
______________________
Environmental Protection Agency, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270 United States