Noble Energy to pay an estimated $74 million to settle alleged Clean Air Act violations

Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL), the oil and natural-gas exploration and production company that two years ago pushed for stronger statewide emissions standards, has agreed to settle pollution violations alleged by the federal government for $13.5 million, which includes a civil penalty of $4.95 million. The company faces another $60 million in costs to upgrade its systems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The settlement resolves alleged Clean Air Act violations from the Houston-based company’s oil and gas exploration activities in Northern Colorado, the EPA, Department of Justice and state of Colorado said in a statement Wednesday. Noble failed to adequately design,…