Air pollution due to natural gas production is one by-product that is probably not discussed as often as it should be. I posted something last week on air pollution concerns from the Natural Resource Defense Council and I’ve received a couple of your horror stories concerning air quality around operations in Arkansas.
Well, it turns out there is some justice in the world for companies that release pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the air. (“Sulfur dioxide can impair breathing and cause acid rain. Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog, which can cause respiratory problems,” the article says).
MANISTEE — A natural gas processing plant in Manistee has agreed to inject pollutants into the ground and pay a $500,000 penalty after violating the Clean Air Act, the EPA announced Wednesday.
The plant’s owner, Merit Energy Co., and its former owner, Shell Exploration & Production Co., operated the facility after Shell made modifications that increased the volumes of natural gas without installing controls to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, the EPA said.
The companies also were accused of violating state operating permits and regulations.
Read the rest of the article here. I’ll have more over the next day or so on air pollution here in AR.