Pennsylvania Attorney General Files 100 Criminal Charges Against Seneca Resources

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has announced that Seneca Resources, LLC is facing a total of 100 criminal charges related to alleged violations of state environmental laws. The charges include 64 counts under the Solid Waste Management Act and 36 counts under the Clean Streams Law. This legal action is the result of what officials describe as years of improper waste management practices across several counties in Pennsylvania.

The Attorney General’s Office has indicated that the allegations involve multiple instances where Seneca Resources allegedly injected wastewater into unconventional gas wells. Investigators also claim the company failed to comply with orders from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which oversees environmental regulations in the state. Notably, in an incident in Cameron County, a well rupture is said to have contaminated drinking water in a nearby home, raising serious public health concerns.

Details of the Allegations

The charges stem from extensive investigations into Seneca’s operations in counties including Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Jefferson, and Cameron. Attorney General Sunday emphasized the importance of clean water, stating, “Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to pure water, and these cases resulted in violations of those rights.” He highlighted the case of a couple whose home, which they worked for years to afford, suffered from contaminated water due to Seneca’s alleged actions.

Further complicating the situation, investigators assert that Seneca continued certain waste disposal practices even after receiving written directives from the DEP to halt operations pending additional review. The prosecution claims that the company’s decision to engage in unapproved flushing procedures in Cameron County exacerbated water contamination by pushing pollutants deeper into the surrounding groundwater.

Legal Proceedings and Future Implications

The case will be prosecuted by Rebecca Franz, Chief Deputy Attorney General. As with all criminal charges, Seneca Resources, LLC, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The outcome of these proceedings could have significant implications for environmental regulations and enforcement in Pennsylvania, particularly for the natural gas industry.

Attorney General Sunday commended the work of the Environmental Crimes Section, reiterating the state’s commitment to protecting its residents and natural resources. The charges against Seneca Resources serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges related to environmental compliance in the energy sector.

For those concerned about environmental issues in Pennsylvania, this case underscores the importance of regulatory oversight and the accountability of corporations in safeguarding public health and the environment.