Pennsylvania DEP issues $1M in fines to major gas driller

Published: 05/17/11 - 12:18pm Written by Dick Pryor
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania state regulators have fined natural gas drilling company Chesapeake Energy Corp. more than $1 million, which officials say is the single largest fine for an oil or gas operator in the state. The state Department of Environmental Protection said Tuesday that the fine stems from Chesapeake's contamination of private water wells with methane gas in northern Pennsylvania and a tank fire at a drilling site in southwestern Pennsylvania. DEP Secretary Michael Krancer says it's important that natural gas drillers take very seriously their responsibilities to comply with environmental regulations. Chesapeake confirms that it is agreeing to pay the fines and says it has improved its well-construction practices, but it's not assuming blame for the water well contamination.