EPA REGION III ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER ON CONSENT ( ORDER ) TO ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC, THE OPERATOR OF EIGHT NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION FACILITIES LOCATED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. EPA'S OECEJ HAD CONDUCTEED A MULTIMEDIA INSPECTION OF THE FACILITIES ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2011, TO ASSESS COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112(r)(1) OF THE CAA, AMONG OTHER FEDERAL STATUTES. EPA INSPECTORS OBSERVED RELEASES OF VAPORS FROM THIEF HATCHES ON THE CONDENSATE TANKS AT THE FACILITIES. BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FACILITIES POSSIBLY WERE NOT BEING OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE OF SECTION 112(r) OF THE CAA. WITH THIS ORDER, ATLAS AGREED TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF APPLICABLE INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER ITS PRACTICES, TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT ARE IN COMPLIANCE, AND TO MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES. PENDING COMPLETION OF THE ORDER, ATLAS HAS SHUT IN ALL OF ITS NATURAL GAS EXTRACTION WELLS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. ISSUANCE OF THIS ORDER WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BY DECREASING THE RISK OF RELEASES OF EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.