Dec. 6 – A major natural gas producer in the state was fined $47.8 million after exceeding its emissions limits by nearly 2 million pounds.
The New Mexico Environment Department took enforcement action against Targa Resources Corp., which operates in southeastern New Mexico, after determining that the company produced excessive emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and hydrogen sulfide. The company also was late in reporting and did not provide a full analysis of the root causes of the high emissions, the state agency said.
Two of these pollutants – nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds – can react to create ground-level ozone, which can irritate the lungs and worsen respiratory diseases. A rule passed in 2022 in an effort to reduce these “ozone precursors” was recently upheld by the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
Rising ozone levels were detected by air quality monitors during the period of the alleged violations, the Environment Ministry said in a news release issued Friday.
In addition to the fine, the company must stop excess emissions at its Red Hills Gas Processing Plant in Lea County and complete a series of projects to reduce emissions, estimated to cost about $140 million.
If the fine is paid, it will be by far the highest the Ministry of Environment has collected to date. The latest record was set in April when Ameredev II LLC paid $24.5 million to the state for alleged violations of state air regulations.
A call to the company’s investor relations line was not returned.
Targa has 30 days to pay the fine or request a hearing. The case has been referred to other federal and state agencies to determine if there are additional violations.
Targa took over the gas processing plant in Lea County in 2022. The company reported $387.4 million in net income in the third quarter of 2024, up about 75% from the previous year, and “record” amounts of raw natural gas sourced from the Permian region. Beaks.
