Energy Company Fined for Clean Water Act Violations

About a month ago, over 300,000 West Virginia residents found themselves cutoff from a fresh water supply in their own homes. An estimated 7,500 gallons of MCHM, a chemical used to clean coal, contaminated the Elk River and the fresh water source for residents and businesses. This spill, though paralyzing, was not the first of its kind in the region. Over the last five years, three major chemical accidents occurred.

The EPA estimates that over $6.5 million will be spent by the agency, U.S. Department of Justice, and Chesapeake Appalachia LLC, to restore the 27 sites damaged by unauthorized discharges and implement a compliance plan for federal and state water protection laws. Due to violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the energy company will pay $3.2 million for a civil penalty. This is one of the largest fines of its nature.

After federal and state investigation from the EPA and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) respectively, alleged violations impacted roughly 2.2 miles and over three acres of wetlands. If feasible, full restoration of wetlands and streams, monitoring damaged sites for up to 10 years, and implementing a compliance plan are the settlement requirements.

Across all regulated industries, there is a necessity for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) risk management. The EPA stresses the importance of being compliant and operating an “environmentally-sound and legal natural gas production.” Without a proper compliance plan, company’s expose themselves to an array of regulatory violations and environmental damages.

Source: ehstoday.com