Plaintiffs' Personal Injury Law Firm

Gas Company Fined for $85,000 Violations at 13 Pennsylvania Well Sites

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has fined Atlas Resources, LLC, of Moon, for violations of the Oil and Gas Act, the Clean Streams Law and the Solid Waste Management Act at 13 well sites.

DEP says Atlas Resources 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 and discharged residual and industrial waste, including diesel fuel and production fluids, onto the ground at seven of the 13 well sites. They also failed to restore two well sites by establishing the appropriate perennial vegetative cover within nine months of completion of drilling.

"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 occurred between Dec. 8, 2008, and July 31, 2009 at six well sites in Greene County, six well sites in Fayette County and one well site in Washington County.

Atlas Resources has entered into a voluntary agreement with the Pennsylvania DEP to pay the fines and corrected the violations.

Environmental hazards can cause serious illnesses or even death among children and adults living in areas where there is pollution, toxic spillage, chemical seepage, improper waste disposal and other environmental issues. Because the companies that cause these hazards often have excellent attorneys and a lot of money available for fighting claims, it is important that you hire an attorney immediately if you feel that an environmental hazard caused your illness or the illness of a family member. Call Napoli Bern Ripka LLP today at 888-529-4669 to discuss your legal options.