WHEELING, W.Va. — An oil and gas exploration company was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to two years probation and fined $600,000 for violating the Clean Water Act.
U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld said Pleasants County-based Trans Energy, Inc. previously admitted to dumping rock, sand, soil and stone into streams in Marshall County in order to pool the water and use it in the drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale.
Ihlenfeld said Trans Energy didn’t properly train its workers concerning current laws.
“Natural wetlands are essential for the overall health of the environment and of our communities,” said David G. McLeod, Jr., special agent in charge of EPA’s Criminal Enforcement Program in the Mid-Atlantic states. “In addition to providing habitat for hundreds of fish and animal species, wetlands filter and slow the flow of surface water, reducing the impact of flooding.
“Today’s sentence demonstrates that EPA and its law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in protecting our nation’s wetlands and water supplies.”
The company pleaded guilty to three federal counts last year.