(Santa Fe, NM) The New Mexico Environment Department has entered into settlement agreements with two southeast New Mexico businesses for alleged air quality permit violations.

Chevron U.S.A. Inc. settled to resolve alleged violations at the Buckeye CO2 Plant located in Lea County. Alleged violations include exceeding permit limits for NOX, CO, SO2 and H2S; failure to submit proper notification of excess emissions; and failure to provide in its permit application all calculations and computations to estimate maximum potential emissions. The parties agreed to a settlement of $78,659. The alleged violations were discovered through a disclosure made to the Department by Chevron. Chevron has taken corrective action to prevent reoccurrence of the violations.

Davis Gas Processing, Inc., settled to resolve alleged violations at the Denton Gas Plant also located in Lea County. Alleged violations include exceeding permit limits for H2S; failure to submit proper notification of excess emissions; and failure to pay emissions fees by the date required. The parties agreed to a settlement of $97,072. The alleged violations were discovered in the course of a Department review of an Annual Compliance Certification submitted by Davis which covered activities at the facility. Davis has taken corrective action to prevent reoccurrence of the violations.

For more information call NMED Communications Director, Jim Winchester, at (505)231-8800.