SANTA FE, N.M. — On Friday, New Mexico’s environmental authorities announced a substantial fine of $47.8 million against Targa Resources, a Houston-based company. This sanction comes amid allegations concerning excessive air pollution from one of its natural gas processing facilities located near Jal, a prominent oil-producing area close to the Texas border. The state Environment Department has reported numerous permit violations, including the emission of hazardous gases that are not only detrimental to respiratory health but also contribute to climate change, such as ozone-producing pollutants.
Targa Resources has not yet provided any comments on these allegations. According to environmental regulators, the company has a 30-day period to either comply with the order, respond to the allegations, or request a hearing with the secretary of the agency. In addition to the hefty fines, regulators have mandated a series of corrective measures and improvements to the facility that treats gas for pipeline transportation.
The sanctions stem from claims involving two specific permit violations, delayed emissions reporting, and an incomplete analysis regarding the root causes of excess pollution. If the fine is upheld, it would mark a record in New Mexico’s history for the Environment Department concerning air-pollution penalties. This matter has also been forwarded to federal regulators for further consideration.
In a related development, the New Mexico Court of Appeals recently upheld regulations designed to mitigate air pollution within one of the United States’ leading oil and gas-producing states. The administration of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, has pushed for stricter regulations targeting ozone-precursor pollutants, alongside initiatives aimed at reducing methane emissions. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to tackle climate change and adhere to federal air quality standards.
