The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has fined MarkWest Energy Partners LP subsidiary MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC more than $76,000 for water pollution violations that stemmed from its pipelines in multiple counties. MarkWest is one of the Appalachian Basin’s largest natural gas processors and fractionators. The company signed a 75-page consent order to pay the fine and correct the violations on Sept. 2. The consent order references a variety of infractions that led to water pollution on five pipeline projects related to the company’s processing facilities. They occurred in Ohio, Marshall, Doddridge and Wetzel counties between May 2013 and April 2015.

Denver-based Western Energy Alliance (WEA) is challenging energy industry critics to live a week without fossil fuels, Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. WEA said its weeklong challenge is aimed at critics of the industry who advocate policies that would essentially eliminate fossil fuel consumption to protect the U.S. environment. During the Fossil Fuel Free week, individuals are challenged to try to live without the benefits of fossil fuels. WEA is reacting to what it says is over-regulation by the Obama administration and anti-energy positions of environmental activists. For information, visit www.fffchallenge.com.

Alta Mesa Holdings LP is selling Eagle Ford Shale-focused Alta Mesa Eagle LLC to EnerVest Ltd. and affiliates for $125 million. Closing is expected to by the end of September with an effective date of July 1. As of the effective date, the reserves being sold were 7.8 million boe, with 31% classified as proved developed. The properties, primarily located in Karnes County, TX, are non-operated and consist of all of the remaining interests that Alta Mesa has in the area. In a separate transaction, Alta Mesa’s Oklahoma Energy Acquisitions LLC (OEA) agreed with EnerVest Ltd. affiliates for OEA to have an option to purchase 1,700 net acres in Kingfisher County, OK, in the Sooner Trend Anadarko Canadian and Kingfisher (Stack) play by Dec. 31.