Pennsylvania levels $3.5 million fine against gas driller
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania environmental regulators have fined a natural-gas driller more than $3.5 million for violations at 10 well sites and six pipeline locations.
The Department of Environmental Protection said Wednesday that subsidiaries of Rice Energy Inc. operated an unpermitted wastewater impoundment that leaked, improperly constructed wells, violated rules for erosion and sediment control, failed to obtain permits and committed other infractions.
Regulators say the violations took place over several years at sites in Washington and Greene counties, in western Pennsylvania.