U.S. Officials Announce Record $241 Million Settlement with Marathon Oil Over Pollution Violations

U.S. officials announced a $241 million settlement with Marathon Oil over alleged air pollution violations at oil and gas facilities on a North Dakota Indian reservation. The settlement, part of President Biden's environmental crackdown, includes a record penalty and equipment upgrades to reduce emissions.

U.S. officials on Thursday announced a $241 million settlement with Marathon Oil over alleged air pollution violations at dozens of the company's oil and gas facilities on a North Dakota Indian reservation, signaling a major environmental crackdown. The settlement involves a record penalty and significant environmental equipment upgrades.

The Biden administration has intensified its enforcement actions in the oil and gas sector to combat climate change and reduce pollution, especially in poor and minority communities. Todd Kim, assistant attorney general with the Department of Justice's environment and natural resources division, highlighted the significance of the settlement in addressing climate change through enforcement action. The violations involved excessive emissions of volatile organic compounds and methane on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

This marks the largest such settlement under the administration, significantly eclipsing previous actions in the sector. Marathon will pay a $64.5 million penalty, the largest ever for Clean Air Act violations from stationary sources, and invest $177 million to bring its facilities into compliance with the law, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2.25 million tons over the next five years.