Gas company accused of illegal waste dumping across Pa.

(WBRE/WYOU) — The attorney general announced charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, following multiple alleged violations of illegal dumping of waste across several PA counties.

Attorney General Dave Sunday filed charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, following multiple violations of Pennsylvania’s environmental protection laws in the following counties:

• Lycoming County
• Tioga County
• Potter County
• Clearfield County
• Elk County
• McKean County
• Jefferson County
• Cameron County

Authorities say the company’s continued inaction and lack of response to warnings and orders from state agencies is what prompted the charges.

Law enforcement reports that in one incident, a rupture caused a drinking water contamination at a couple’s home in Cameron County.

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

Attorney General Sunday

Seneca is also accused of injecting wastewater into unconventional gas wells on a well pad in Cameron County. Investigators say Seneca’s unlawful practice was done to help with the disposal of their wastewater.

The Department of Environmental Protection warned them that their practices were not in line with Pennsylvania law, but officials say those warnings were ignored or disputed.

Seneca is charged with 72 counts of violations of the Solid Waste Management Act and 42 counts of violations of the Clean Streams Law.

28/22 News reached out to Seneca Resources, LLC for a response on the charges filed; however, we have yet to hear back from them.