Pennsylvania won’t pursue $8.9M fine against drilling firm
Pennsylvania environmental regulators are not pursuing an $8.9 million fine against a Texas-based energy company previously accused of repeatedly failing to repair a natural-gas well that contaminated groundwater and a stream.
State regulators had said stray gas caused elevated methane levels in several water wells in the north-central part of the state.
Pennlive.com reported Saturday that Range Resources-Appalachia has been notified the state won’t pursue the fine for alleged violations associate with the gas well.
Pennlive says the company withdrew its appeal of the proposed penalty after the state rescinded it.
Range denies it caused the contamination.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the fine was dropped in an unreleased agreement. The newspaper says Range will likely face a penalty later.
A state spokesman says they’re investigating and will take appropriate action.
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