HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, following multiple violations of Pennsylvania’s environmental protection laws in several counties, as recommended by the 48th and 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Juries.
Three separate criminal complaints were filed regarding the natural gas company’s violations related to improper waste management practices and policies. In all, Seneca is charged with 64 counts of violations of the Solid Waste Management Act and 36 counts of violations of the Clean Streams Law.
The charges address the company’s continued inaction and lack of response to warnings and orders from state agencies. In one incident in Cameron County, a rupture resulted in drinking water being contaminated at a couple’s home.
“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to pure water, and these cases resulted in violations of those rights,” Attorney General Sunday said. “In one example, a couple’s home — which they worked their entire lives to afford — was subjected to contaminated water. Such outcomes will not be tolerated, and I commend our Environmental Crimes Section for their work in this case.”
One set of allegations against the company involves Seneca’s operations in Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Jefferson and Cameron Counties. The Department of Environmental Protection warned them that their practices were not in line with Pennsylvania law, but those warnings were ignored or disputed.
Another set of allegations against the company involves Seneca’s injection of wastewater into unconventional gas wells on a well pad in Cameron County. Seneca’s unlawful practice was designed to aid in the disposal of their abundance of wastewater.
Regarding the water contamination in Cameron County, although Seneca responded to the spill quickly, they decided to move forward with a procedure to flush the spill area with water which hadn’t been approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. Seneca continued this practice at the site, even after being told in writing by DEP to not move forward until more investigation had been done. The procedure ultimately pushed more contaminants into the surface waters and ground water in the area.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Franz. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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