[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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