Pennsylvania Attorney General Files 100 Criminal Charges Against Seneca Resources

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has announced significant criminal charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, a major player in the natural gas industry. The company faces a total of 100 counts for allegedly violating state environmental laws and ignoring multiple regulatory warnings. This case underscores a growing concern over environmental compliance within the energy sector.

Three criminal complaints have been filed against Seneca Resources, detailing 64 counts under the Solid Waste Management Act and 36 counts under the Clean Streams Law. These charges arise from what investigators have described as years of improper waste management practices across several counties in Pennsylvania, including Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Jefferson, and Cameron.

Investigators allege that Seneca engaged in the injection of wastewater into unconventional gas wells and failed to adhere to directives from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A particularly concerning incident in Cameron County involved a well rupture that reportedly contaminated drinking water in the vicinity of a residential home.

“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to pure water, and these cases resulted in violations of those rights,” Attorney General Sunday stated. “In one example, a couple’s home — which they worked their entire lives to afford — was subjected to contaminated water. Such outcomes will not be tolerated, and I commend our Environmental Crimes Section for their work in this case.”

Allegations suggest that Seneca continued its waste disposal practices even after receiving written instructions from the DEP to cease operations pending further review. Prosecutors claim that the company’s decision to proceed with unapproved flushing procedures in Cameron County exacerbated water contamination by pushing pollutants deeper into surrounding 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 currently allegations, and the company is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case highlights the ongoing tension between natural resource extraction and environmental protection, drawing attention to the need for stricter adherence to regulations within the industry. As investigations continue, the implications for both the company and the broader industry remain to be seen.