The EPA seeks to settle violations of the Colorado State Implementation Plan, 40 C.F.R. Section 52.320(c)(i)(A), Subpart G codifies Colorado Regulation 7 (Reg 7) Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds, and Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Oil and Gas Operations (Section XII), which restrict volatile organic compound emission from oil and gas tank systems in Colorado.
EPA, the Department of Justice, and the State of Colorado today announced a settlement with PDC Energy, Inc., that will comprehensively identify and address issues with vapor control systems at PDC?s condensate storage tank batteries. The tank batteries are all located in a region that has not met EPA?s national air quality standards for ground-level ozone. In addition to implementing measures that will ensure its vapor control systems in this area are properly designed, sized, operated, and maintained, PDC has agreed to perform significant environmental mitigation projects at many of its well pads. When fully implemented, the settlement is expected to reduce harmful air pollution by more than 2,025 tons per year. This settlement is part of the EPA?s national enforcement initiative to reduce public health and environmental impacts from energy extraction activities.