ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Texas company has reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the federal government and the state of New Mexico to address air pollution concerns in the largest oil and gas producing region in the United States.
New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney said he's concerned about the compliance rate for companies operating in New Mexico, describing it as terrible.
The civil complaint targeting Apache comes nearly a year after federal and state officials announced a similar agreement with another producer in the Permian Basin over violations.
In 2022, an investigation by The Associated Press showed 533 oil and gas facilities in the region were emitting excessive amounts of methane.
In all, state officials said the recent consent decrees with energy companies cover about 15% of oil and gas production in New Mexico and about 9% of the wells.
Persons:
—, Apache, James Kenney, he's, ”, Kenney, “, Apache's
Organizations:
Apache Corporation, Federal, Apache, Associated Press, Environmental, Gas Methane
Locations:
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M, Texas, New Mexico, United States