Gas Driller Fined $85,000 for Violations at 13 Sites

-from the Pike County Courier
Link at posterous
January 24, 2010

PITTSBURGH - The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Atlas Resources, LLC $85,000 for violations of the Oil and Gas Act, the Clean Streams Law; and the Solid Waste Management Act at 13 well sites in Fayette, Washington, and Greene counties.

“Development of Pennsylvania’s natural gas resource is important to the state’s economy. However, that development need not -- and will not -- come at the expense of our environment,” said Southwest Regional Director George Jugovic Jr. “DEP will ensure that Pennsylvania’s gas resources are developed in an environmentally sound manner, consistent with the law.”

The violations, which occurred between Dec. 8, 2008, and July 31, 2009, fall into three categories:

• Atlas failed to implement and maintain erosion and sedimentation control measures to prevent off-site discharges of silt-laden runoff onto the ground at six well sites;

• Atlas failed to restore two well sites by establishing the appropriate perennial vegetative cover within nine months of completion of drilling; and

• Atlas discharged residual and industrial waste, including diesel fuel and production fluids, onto the ground at seven of the 13 well sites.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us

DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!