Two shipping companies, Prive Overseas Marine LLC and Prive Shipping Denizcilik Ticaret, pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the dumping of oil in the Atlantic Ocean by a ship bound for New Orleans last year. The companies agreed to pay $2 million in penalties. The charges included conspiracy and obstruction of justice due to false information entered into the oil record log book of the tanker PS Dream. The companies are owned by the same holding company. Crew members were found to have pumped oil-contaminated waste into federal waters while on the way to New Orleans from Malaysia in January 2023. Evidence included information from whistleblowers aboard the ship and video showing oil being pumped overboard. The ship’s master is facing separate charges in a related case.
In another case, New Mexico reached a record settlement with a company over natural gas flaring. This settlement was reached after the company pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the illegal burning of excess natural gas. The company agreed to pay $2 million in civil penalties and invest $4 million to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the state. The company was found to have violated the Clean Air Act by operating flares without proper authorization and by failing to accurately report flaring incidents. The company admitted to the violations and agreed to pay the penalties for their actions. This was the largest settlement of its kind in New Mexico’s history.
The cases of the two shipping companies and the company involved in illegal natural gas flaring highlight the importance of environmental regulations and the consequences of violating them. Dumping oil and burning excess natural gas not only harm the environment but also pose risks to human health and safety. The penalties imposed on the companies serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to cut corners and disregard environmental laws. By holding these companies accountable for their actions, authorities are sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The whistleblowers who reported the illegal dumping of oil by the shipping companies played a crucial role in bringing the violations to light. Their willingness to speak up and provide evidence of the wrongdoing helped authorities build a case against the companies and hold them accountable for their actions. Whistleblower protections are important in ensuring that employees feel safe coming forward with information about illegal activities in their workplaces. In this case, the whistleblowers’ actions led to the companies facing consequences for their actions and paying penalties for violating environmental laws.
The record settlement reached with the company involved in illegal natural gas flaring in New Mexico demonstrates the state’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and holding violators accountable. By requiring the company to pay civil penalties and invest in measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality, the state is taking proactive steps to address environmental concerns and protect the health and well-being of its residents. The settlement sets a precedent for future cases involving environmental violations and sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated in New Mexico.
Overall, the cases of the two shipping companies and the company involved in illegal natural gas flaring serve as reminders of the importance of complying with environmental regulations and the consequences of failing to do so. Violating environmental laws not only harms the planet but also puts human health and safety at risk. By holding companies accountable for their actions and imposing penalties for violations, authorities are working to protect the environment and ensure that businesses operate in a responsible and sustainable manner. The settlements reached in these cases should serve as a warning to others that disregarding environmental laws will result in serious consequences.
