DENVER—An energy company has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle a complaint that waste from a natural gas well site contaminated groundwater in western Colorado.
The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction reports that state regulators approved the settlement with Oxy USA Monday, backing off a recommendation to fine the company $500,000.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission fined Oxy $90,000 and ordered it to pay $60,000 toward an unspecified project in Garfield County, where the contamination occurred.
Regulators investigated the discovery of benzene, known to cause cancer, in a spring near Parachute in August 2008. They said the fluids leaked from a waste pit on a gas pad, which Oxy disputed.
Officials say new information led them to reduce the proposed fine. Oxy admits no liability under the settlement.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
