PA DEP Takes Aggressive Action Against Cabot Oil & Gas over Dimock Township Methane Contamination
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is not happy with what it says is lack of progress on the part of Cabot Oil & Gas in the remediation of methane contamination of water supplies in Dimock Township, PA. The DEP blames Cabot for the methane contamination. Cabot claims they really aren’t at fault and are being unfairly blamed for a naturally occurring phenomenon (migrating natural gas).*
Today’s consent order from the DEP stipulates that Cabot must:
- Plug three wells believed to be the source of the migrating methane gas—within 40 days.
- Install permanent water treatment systems in the affected 14 homes.
- Pay $30,000 per month in fines, starting in May, until all obligations are met.
In addition:
- The DEP is immediately suspending reviews of any pending Cabot permits to drill elsewhere in the entire state.
- Cabot is barred from drilling any new gas wells in Dimock Township for at least one year.
From the DEP press release:
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