Dive Summary:
- XTO Energy, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil, was fined $100,000 by the Environmental Protection Agency for violating the federal Clean Water Act in Pennsylvania.
- Up to 57,373 gallons of contaminated waste water from fracking escaped into the Susquehanna River in Lycoming County.
- An open valve on a storage tank was found during an inspection by a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection worker, leading to the charges.
From the article:
With 109 active wells, environmental regulators have issued 165 violations by both XTO Energy and EXCO Resources.
Although XTO is not one of the top ten drillers in the state, it is one of the top ten violators, with nearly one violation per well. The most recent data available shows the company with 212 active wells, and a staggering 179 violations incurred by just 25 wells.
As part of the settlement, XTO will now be required to recycle at least 50 percent of its wastewater, meaning that water will be used to frack other wells.
