North Dakota gas plant to pay $195K after alleged Clean Water Act violations

The EPA inspected the western North Dakota gas plant in 2015 and found problems with its ability to contain potential spills of hazardous substances, such as oil, as well as inadequate plans for preventing spills. Hess has since remedied the problems, the EPA said in a statement.

Spills from the plant could impact an unnamed tributary of Paulsen Creek, which is a tributary to the White Earth River. The EPA’s analysis shows that a worst-case spill from the plant could extend 61 miles to White Earth Bay on Lake Sakakawea.

“Adequate spill prevention and response plans include important requirements and measures that protect public health and the environment,” said Suzanne Bohan, director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division.

The $195,000 penalty will go to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, a fund that federal agencies use to respond to oil and hazardous substance spills.