[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 155 (Monday, August 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55077-55078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17312]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Clean Air 
Act

    On August 8, 2023, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed 
consent decree with the United States District Court for the District 
of New Mexico in the lawsuit entitled United States of America and New 
Mexico Environment Department v. Mewbourne Oil Company, Civil Action 
No. 23-cv-00654.
    In this action, the United States, on behalf of the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, and the New Mexico Environment 
Department filed a complaint alleging that Mewbourne Oil Company 
(``Defendant'') violated the Clean Air Act, the New Mexico Air Quality 
Control Act, their implementing regulations, and the Texas State 
Implementation Plan at 104 of Defendant's oil and natural gas 
production facilities in New Mexico and Texas by failing to comply with 
requirements of the federal New Source Performance Standards set forth 
at 40 CFR part 60, subpart OOOO and OOOOa; failing to submit a Notice 
of Intent and to register for the NMED's Air Quality Bureau General 
Construction Permit for Oil and Gas Facilities (``GCP'') as required by 
New Mexico regulations; failing to apply for a Title V Operating 
Permit; and failing to operate in accordance with provisions of the GCP 
and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Permit by

[[Page 55078]]

Rule, as applicable. The complaint seeks an Order enjoining Defendant 
from further violating applicable requirements and requiring Defendant 
to remedy, mitigate, and offset the harm to public health and the 
environment caused by the violations and to pay a civil penalty.
    Under the proposed settlement, Defendant agrees to pay a civil 
penalty of $5,500,000 and to spend at least $1,000,000 on a project to 
offset excess emissions resulting from the violations. In addition, the 
settlement requires the Defendant to ensure ongoing compliance with all 
applicable regulatory requirements at 422 of its oil and natural gas 
production facilities in New Mexico and Texas. Specifically, the 
settlement requires the Defendant to undertake a field survey to 
identify and remedy any compromised equipment at all 422 facilities 
and, at 206 of these facilities, Defendant is further required to 
undertake a design analysis to ensure adequate design and sizing of the 
vapor control system, install and operate extensive monitoring systems, 
implement a robust inspection and maintenance program, and hire an 
independent third party to verify compliance.
    The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on 
the proposed consent decree. Comments should be addressed to the 
Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, 
and should refer to United States and New Mexico Environment Department 
v. Mewbourne Oil Company, D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-2-1-12294. 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, D.C. 20044-7611.
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    During the public comment period, the proposed consent decree may 
be examined and downloaded at this Justice Department website: http://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. We will provide a paper copy of 
the proposed consent decree 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 $36.00 (25 cents per page 
reproduction cost) payable to the United States Treasury.

Thomas Carroll,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment 
and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2023-17312 Filed 8-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-P