Industry Giant Marathon Oil Faces Record Fine For Polluting Native Lands In North Dakota!
Industry giant Marathon Oil hit with historic fine for polluting Native lands with toxic methane emissions in North Dakota. 🌎 #News #NorthDakota #Oil
Historic Settlement Announced!
FARGO, ND – Marathon Oil is set to pay a hefty fine for polluting Native land. On Thursday, the Justice Department announced a $241.5 million settlement with the company for releasing methane from natural gas flaring on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota.
This settlement marks the largest civil penalty ever imposed for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources.
Impact on Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara nations, has faced significant environmental challenges due to the oil industry’s activities.
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Established in 1870, the reservation has a long history of struggles with federal control and settler incursions. The recent oil boom in the Bakken shale region brought economic gains but also environmental degradation.
The Environmental Cost of Oil Drilling
One major environmental issue from oil drilling is the practice of “flaring,” where excess natural gas is burned off, releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a major component of these emissions.
The Justice Department highlighted that methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the near term. Between 2012 and 2020, an estimated 240 billion cubic feet of natural gas was released on reservation land.
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Allocation of Settlement Funds
The bulk of the settlement money will go toward reducing emissions. Marathon Oil has committed to spending $170 million on emission reduction measures at its Fort Berthold operations. Additionally, the company will pay $64.5 million in fines, the largest of its kind.
Marathon Oil’s Response
Marathon Oil, currently undergoing a $170 billion acquisition by ConocoPhillips, stated that the settlement will not significantly impact its business or the acquisition deal. The company is confident that the required mitigation expenditures and penalties will not adversely affect its operations or the merger agreement.
Conclusion
This landmark settlement underscores the need for accountability in the oil industry, particularly when it comes to environmental protection and the well-being of Native communities. The Justice Department’s actions aim to ensure cleaner air for the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and surrounding areas in North Dakota.
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