The federal government has reached a significant settlement with Marathon Oil, amounting to $241.5 million, for alleged air quality violations at the company's oil and gas operations in the Forth Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. This settlement, announced by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice, aims to address climate- and health-harming emissions from Marathon's facilities, resulting in a substantial reduction of over 2.3 million tons of pollution.
Described as a historic agreement, this settlement marks the largest civil penalty ever imposed for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of this settlement in ensuring cleaner air for the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and other communities in North Dakota, while also holding Marathon accountable for its illegal pollution practices.
Marathon officials have not yet provided a response to this settlement. The terms of the agreement require Marathon to take concrete actions to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the affected areas. This development underscores the government's commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and protecting public health.
