[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2699-2700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00539]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement Under 
the Clean Air Act and Bankruptcy Rule 9019

    On January 7, 2021, a proposed Consent Decree and Settlement 
Agreement was lodged in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the 
Southern District of Texas in In re Chesapeake Energy Corporation, et 
al., Case No. 20-33233 (DRJ).
    The proposed Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement resolves civil 
claims by the United States, on behalf of the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA), against Debtors Chesapeake Exploration LLC and Chesapeake 
Appalachia LLC (collectively Chesapeake) relating to Clean Air Act 
(CAA) violations at 159 natural gas production facilities formerly 
owned and operated by Chesapeake in Ohio. Specifically, the United 
States has alleged that Chesapeake violated requirements set forth in 
Section 111 of the CAA, the Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and 
Natural Gas Production, Transmission, and Distribution found at 40 CFR 
part 60, subpart OOOO, the Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and 
Natural Gas Production, Transmission, and Distribution for Which 
Construction, Modification, or Reconstruction Commenced After September 
18, 2015 found in 40 CFR part 60, subpart OOOOa, and federally-
enforceable general operating permits applicable to Chesapeake's 
natural gas production facilities issued by the Ohio Environmental 
Protection Agency. The Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement resolves 
the United States' claims for the above-described CAA violations and 
requires Chesapeake to pay a civil penalty of $1.2 million in full and 
without reduction from the Debtor's estate. The Consent Decree and 
Settlement Agreement requires approval of the Bankruptcy Court after a 
thirty-day public comment period.
    The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on 
the Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement. Comments should be 
addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural 
Resources Division and should refer to In re Chesapeake Energy 
Corporation, et al, D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-2-1-11724. All comments must be 
submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the publication date of 
this notice. Comments may be submitted either by email or by mail:

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         To submit comments:                     Send them to:
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By email............................  [email protected].
By mail.............................  Assistant Attorney General, U.S.
                                       DOJ--ENRD, P.O. Box 7611,
                                       Washington, DC 20044-7611.
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    During the public comment period, the Consent Decree and Settlement 
Agreement may be examined and downloaded at this Justice Department 
website: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. We will provide 
a paper copy of the Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement upon 
written request and payment of reproduction costs. Please mail your 
request and payment to: Consent Decree Library, U.S. DOJ--ENRD, P.O. 
Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044-7611.
    Please enclose a check or money order for $7.75 (25 cents per page

[[Page 2700]]

reproduction cost) payable to the United States Treasury.

Patricia McKenna,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment 
and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2021-00539 Filed 1-12-21; 8:45 am]
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