October 23, 2009

 

HARRISBURG---State environmental regulators are imposing fines against Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. after the gas-exploration company reported three chemical spills in northeastern Pennsylvania.
     The Department of Environmental Protection said Thursday that Cabot is being fined $56,650 for violating the Clean Streams Law, Solid Waste Management Act and Oil and Gas Act.  Last week, the department allowed the company to resume a drilling technique that uses liquids to fracture rock and release natural gas.  It said the company had improved its accident-prevention plans.
     The department halted Cabot's so-called hydraulic fracturing operations last month after Cabot reported three spills within seven days at one of its gas-drilling sites.
     The spills polluted a wetland and creek in Susquehanna County.