Pennsylvania Attorney General Files 100 Criminal Charges Against Seneca Resources

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has filed a total of 100 criminal charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, citing numerous violations of state environmental laws. This action follows an investigation that revealed improper waste management practices associated with the natural gas company across several counties in Pennsylvania, including Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Jefferson, and Cameron.

Details of the Charges

The charges comprise 64 counts under the Solid Waste Management Act and 36 counts under the Clean Streams Law. According to Attorney General Dave Sunday, these allegations stem from years of non-compliance with state regulations, despite multiple warnings from regulatory bodies.

Investigators reported that Seneca Resources allegedly injected wastewater into unconventional gas wells and failed to adhere to directives issued by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Notably, an incident in Cameron County involved a well rupture that reportedly contaminated drinking water at a nearby residence, raising serious public health concerns.

“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to pure water, and these cases resulted in violations of those rights,”

Attorney General Sunday stated. He emphasized that such outcomes, where individuals’ homes were subjected to contamination, are unacceptable.

Regulatory Non-Compliance

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Seneca Resources continued certain waste disposal practices even after receiving written instructions from the DEP to cease operations pending further review. Prosecutors indicated that the company’s decision to proceed with unapproved flushing procedures in Cameron County exacerbated the pollution by pushing harmful substances deeper into the groundwater.

The prosecution of this case is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Franz. It is important to note that all charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, are allegations at this stage, and the company is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This unfolding situation underscores the critical importance of regulatory compliance in the natural gas industry, particularly in relation to environmental protection and public health standards. As the case progresses, it will likely draw attention from both environmental groups and industry stakeholders concerned about the implications for natural gas operations in Pennsylvania.