The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a consent agreement with Arrow Pipeline, LLC, addressing Clean Air Act violations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The violations were identified during a routine inspection conducted by the EPA in June 2023.
The inspection revealed visible smoke emissions and hydrocarbon emissions, which included volatile organic compounds and potentially toxic hazardous air pollutants from multiple natural gas compressor stations operated by Arrow Pipeline on the reservation. Additionally, the company was found to have not met records management requirements under its operating permits.
Arrow Pipeline has since rectified these issues and agreed to pay a $450,000 penalty as part of the resolution. KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator, stated: "I’m encouraged Arrow Pipeline has taken steps to properly address its air pollution violations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.” Becker emphasized that this outcome reflects the EPA's dedication to safeguarding Tribal communities particularly susceptible to poor air quality impacts.
Arrow Pipeline operates seven compressor stations on the reservation, featuring engines, tanks, and flares essential for moving natural gas through pipelines. These facilities are subject to permit regulations enforced by the EPA under the Clean Air Act.
During their evaluation, EPA officials detected visible smoke emissions from a flare and hydrocarbon emissions from closed vent systems managing vapors from hydrocarbon liquid storage tanks. These findings constituted breaches of Arrow Pipeline’s Clean Air Act permits. The company also failed in operating, monitoring, and maintaining records according to engine requirements specified in these permits.
The EPA highlights that industrial pollution sources like Arrow Pipeline must adhere to Clean Air Act permitting programs designed to mitigate air pollutant emissions. More information about these permit programs in North Dakota is available on the EPA Region 8 website.
