HomeNewsNMED fines natural gas firm $47.8 MM for harmful emissions

NMED fines natural gas firm $47.8 MM for harmful emissions

12/9/2024

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) initiated an enforcement action against Targa Northern Delaware LLC, a subsidiary of Houston, Texas-based (U.S.) natural gas firm Targa Resources Corp., for emissions releases far greater than permitted limits at its Red Hills Gas Processing Plant near Jal in Lea County.

The enforcement action cites Targa for alleged violations of state rules including significant excess emissions of regulated air pollutants, late reporting and an incomplete attempt at providing a root cause analysis to address the facility’s ongoing excess emissions.

NMED’s enforcement action requires Targa to:

  • Cease and desist all excess emissions at the Red Hills Gas Processing Plant effective immediately.
  • Complete 16 projects, initiatives and improvements to the Red Hills Gas Processing Plant to address its operations and excess emissions with an estimated cost of around $140 MM, as proposed by Targa.
  • Pay a civil penalty of $47.8 MM to the state general fund.

“When the New Mexico Environment Department issues you a permit, it is a legally binding agreement to protect the health of New Mexicans,” said NMED General Counsel Zachary Ogaz. “If you violate your permit by failing to effectively invest in compliance, we will hold you accountable.”

In total, the excess emissions cited in the enforcement action address nearly 2 MMlb more than Targa’s permitted air emissions limits for five individual air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

The Environment Department’s mission is to protect and restore the environment and to foster a healthy and prosperous New Mexico for present and future generations.

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