In addition, the pipeline company and its subsidiaries will perform comprehensive injunctive relief and clean up the contamination caused by the spill.
To date, Summitt Midstream already spent over $50 million to clean up the spill under North Dakota’s supervision. The company’s ongoing remedial efforts are expected to continue over the next several years
Furthermore, the civil settlement requires Summit Midstream and Meadowlark Midstream to implement concrete steps to prevent spills in the future.
The plea agreement and civil settlement are subject to court approval.
Holding Summit Midstream accountable for violating environmental laws
In a statement, DOJ Division of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim, said, the pipeline company “prioritized profits over the environment.” Its disregard for pipeline safety resulted in pollution of the environment on a massive scale over 143 days.
Kim added that Summit Midstream committed criminal conduct. The settlement holds the pipeline company “financially accountable.”
