Once, Ovintiv Inc. came to Utah’s Uinta Basin as a harbinger of economic growth, promising jobs and opportunity. Today, those promises are tainted, clouded by accusations that the company has polluted the air, violating essential environmental standards and harming the health of the region. With federal and state authorities now taking Ovintiv to court, the community is left wondering: was the trade-off worth it?
A Breach of Environmental Standards
The lawsuit, initiated under Section 113(b) of the Clean Air Act and the Utah Air Conservation Act, contends that Ovintiv (formerly named Encana before they restructured their way to a new identity) failed to control emissions from their oil and natural gas production facilities, leading to significant releases of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs are more than just a byproduct of the oil extraction process; they’re a serious environmental hazard, contributing to ground-level ozone pollution. Ozone, while beneficial in the upper atmosphere, is dangerous at ground level, exacerbating respiratory problems and increasing health risks, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
Located in an area that already struggles to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, the Uinta Basin is particularly sensitive to such emissions. The complaint states that Ovintiv’s alleged noncompliance has directly worsened the region’s air quality, heightening the threat to residents and violating clean air standards in a region that desperately needs regulatory oversight.
The Mechanics of Pollution
At the heart of Ovintiv’s alleged environmental violations are storage vessels—large tanks designed to hold oil, natural gas, and produced water extracted from underground reservoirs. According to the complaint, these vessels emitted VOCs during routine operations due to ineffective vapor control systems. VOC emissions in the oil and gas industry primarily occur through a process known as “flashing,” which releases volatile hydrocarbons into the air when pressurized oil is transferred into these tanks. Additional emissions, termed “breathing” and “working” losses, also occur as the contents of these tanks heat and cool, expanding and contracting with temperature changes throughout the day.
In theory, these emissions should be captured by vapor control systems—networked pipes, fittings, and pressure relief devices designed to contain and route these gases to combustion devices for destruction. However, regulators observed numerous failures in Ovintiv’s systems, allegedly resulting in VOC releases that were neither controlled nor reported. The lawsuit claims that Ovintiv failed to install, maintain, and operate these systems to meet legal standards, leading to ongoing violations.
The Price of Corporate Negligence
The damages caused by Ovintiv’s alleged failures extend beyond the emissions themselves. For the Uinta Basin, where air quality already struggles under the burden of industrial pollution, the environmental and public health impacts are stark. Ground-level ozone, exacerbated by VOCs, has a well-documented link to respiratory ailments, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Local health experts warn that these pollutants can aggravate existing conditions and increase the risk of premature death.
In addition to the direct health impacts, there are economic consequences. The environmental damage affects agriculture, one of the basin’s traditional industries, where crop yields suffer from ozone exposure. Wildlife and plant life also bear the brunt, with delicate desert ecosystems particularly vulnerable to even slight increases in pollution. For the residents who live and work near Ovintiv’s facilities, the company’s alleged misconduct has disrupted both daily life and livelihoods, sparking fear and frustration as pollution visibly accumulates.
Regulatory Failures and Inspections
The case against Ovintiv rests on a series of inspections conducted in 2018 and 2019, during which EPA and Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ) officials identified numerous instances of VOC emissions. Inspectors, armed with infrared cameras designed to detect invisible hydrocarbon gases, observed emissions at multiple Ovintiv sites, casting doubt on the company’s compliance with environmental laws. Additionally, they documented several non-functional combustors, devices critical to burning off VOCs before they escape into the atmosphere, as well as other control devices that were visibly emitting pollutants instead of containing them.
These findings suggest a pattern of regulatory oversight failures within Ovintiv’s operations. Environmental laws mandate that companies design, operate, and maintain vapor control systems to prevent such emissions. However, according to the complaint, Ovintiv’s systems appeared either improperly maintained or inadequately designed for the task, a glaring failure in one of the most regulated sectors of the U.S. economy.
The Scope of Accountability
This lawsuit doesn’t merely focus on Ovintiv’s alleged operational failures; it calls into question the company’s overall commitment to environmental stewardship. Corporate accountability advocates argue that Ovintiv’s actions reflect a disturbing pattern in which profits are prioritized over compliance and sustainability, a narrative all too familiar in the oil and gas sector. In this case, the complaint highlights Ovintiv’s apparent disregard for the health of the communities where it operates and the broader environmental impact of its actions.
The Legal Battle Ahead
Ovintiv faces the potential for substantial civil penalties and may be required to implement corrective measures to bring its facilities into compliance with environmental standards. The lawsuit also demands that Ovintiv take on environmental mitigation projects, which could include restoring damaged ecosystems or investing in pollution reduction technologies to offset the VOC emissions that have already impacted the Uinta Basin.
For environmental advocates, this case is emblematic of the ongoing struggle to hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact. If successful, the lawsuit could set a precedent, sending a clear message to companies in the energy sector: regulatory compliance is non-negotiable, and failure to uphold environmental standards will have consequences.
A Community Left in Limbo
Meanwhile, the people of the Uinta Basin wait. For years, they have shouldered the burden of environmental degradation while struggling to gain attention and action from corporate and government leaders. As this lawsuit unfolds, they find themselves at a pivotal moment, hoping for both justice and relief from the corporate practices that have so profoundly impacted their lives.