Six Gas Companies Agree to Clean Up Their Act

(CN) - Six companies agreed to cough up more than $6 million to upgrade pollution controls at natural gas facilities in Utah's Uinta Basin.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice on Friday announced three settlements with Bill Barrett Corp., Wind River Corp., XTO Energy, Dominion Exploration and Production, Whiting Oil and Gas Corp., and Miller Dyer and Co.

The companies will disburse $6.4 million to retrofit and upgrade pollution controls at the natural gas producing facilities. In addition, the companies agreed to pay $632,000 in civil penalties and $200,000 for environmental projects.

The government accused the companies of violating Clean Air Act emission standards, along with monitoring and permitting requirements.

"These settlements deliver clear results for the people of Utah and the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator Carol Rushin in a statement.

"The mandated pollution controls will reduce emissions of air toxics and greenhouse gases, while conservation measures will help return valuable natural gas to the marketplace."

The agency estimates that natural gas conserved will be enough to heat more than 1,000 homes per year.

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