Friday 5 September 2014
US oil and gas company Trans Energy is to pay a penalty of $3 million for pollution.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the firm’s natural gas drilling materials were discharged into streams.
Trans Energy is now required to restore portions of streams and wetlands at 15 sites in West Virginia “polluted by the company’s unauthorised discharge of dredge”.
Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance said: “As part of our commitment to safe development of domestic energy supplies, EPA is working to protect wetlands and local water supplies on which communities depend. By enforcing environmental laws, we’re helping to ensure a level playing field for responsible businesses."
The energy company is expected to spend more than $13 million to complete the restoration and mitigation work.