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Fracking Company Featured in ‘Gasland’ Faces Criminal Pollution Charges in Pennsylvania

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Fracking Company Featured in ‘Gasland’ Faces Criminal Pollution Charges in Pennsylvania


A natural-gas drilling firm going through prison prices for allegedly contaminating the consuming water in a rural Pennsylvania city is predicted to enter a plea Tuesday. 

Coterra Vitality Inc.

is scheduled to look in Susquehanna County Courtroom, two years after the Pennsylvania lawyer normal charged its predecessor, Cabot Oil & Fuel Corp., with 15 prison counts for allegedly inflicting flammable methane to leak from natural-gas wells into residential water provides in Dimock, Pa. 

A spokesman for Coterra declined to remark Monday. The corporate has lengthy maintained that the methane in residents’ wells was naturally occurring.

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Dimock, a small group within the northeast nook of the state, gained nationwide consideration when the 2010 documentary “Gasland” confirmed residents lighting their faucet water on hearth.

Since unconventional fuel drilling, often known as fracking, took off within the late 2000s in Pennsylvania and neighboring states to faucet the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale formations, the Dimock case has been amongst these cited most frequently to focus on the dangers to native consuming water.

A spokeswoman for Lawyer Common

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Josh Shapiro

declined to touch upon the plea listening to. Mr. Shapiro, a Democrat elected earlier this month to grow to be the state’s subsequent governor, mentioned in June 2020 that Cabot “took shortcuts that broke the regulation, and broken our surroundings—harming our water provide and public well being.”

In 2016, the Environmental Safety Company mentioned fracking can have an effect on consuming water provides in sure circumstances, however that the variety of recognized instances of contamination was small. The company cited floor spills and situations the place the cement casing of a nicely was poor as potential causes.

The Pennsylvania Division of Environmental Safety web site lists 392 personal water provides which have been impacted by oil and fuel actions since 2008. The listing consists of each standard and unconventional drilling, and impacts vary from a discount in water to a rise in pollution equivalent to methane. 

In 2010, the DEP discovered that Cabot Oil & Fuel was accountable for permitting methane emigrate to water wells for 19 houses in Dimock, together with one which had exploded a yr earlier. Cabot reached a settlement with some residents in 2012, however the go well with continued. A federal decide overturned a $4.24 million jury award in 2017. The state lawyer normal filed prison prices in 2020. 

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Ray Kemble, seen pumping water in 2012, says his nicely water turned brown and started to scent shortly after fracking started close to his house in Dimock, Pa.



Picture:

Matt Rourke/Related Press

For greater than a decade, some residents who mentioned they didn’t belief their nicely water have relied on shopping for bottled water, or purchased water commercially in bulk or else gathered it from creeks and artesian wells.

Pennsylvania American Water says it plans to ship water to Dimock residents via a venture developed with the lawyer normal’s workplace. The corporate mentioned the venture will embrace a therapy system that can eradicate contaminants within the space’s groundwater and disconnect residents’ plumbing from current wells to keep away from cross-contamination. 

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In keeping with a grand jury presentment, Cabot Oil & Fuel leased mineral rights from residents in Dimock starting in 2006, and shortly after natural-gas drilling started residents complained about modifications to their consuming water, together with discoloration and foul odors.

Residents turned extra involved after one water nicely exploded in 2009, in keeping with the grand-jury report. On the time, Cabot denied accountability for the explosion however started putting in vents to residents’ water wells to assist take away methane.

After the Pennsylvania DEP discovered that Cabot’s drilling had triggered methane emigrate to water wells of 19 houses, the corporate agreed to a consent order during which it stopped new drilling over a 9-square-mile space that included these houses.

Some residents who had methane of their consuming water skilled rashes, dizziness, imaginative and prescient issues and issue respiration, in keeping with the grand-jury report. Residents additionally reported losses within the worth of their property, the report mentioned.

Ray Kemble,

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a 67-year-old Dimock resident, mentioned he has been driving 24 miles spherical journey each week to fill a 250-gallon truck with water from a hydrant within the county seat of Montrose. He mentioned he and one other Dimock resident every pay the water utility about $50 a month for the water.

Mr. Kemble mentioned his nicely water had turned brown and started to scent in 2009, shortly after Cabot started drilling close to his house. He mentioned his faucet water on the time additionally contained excessive sufficient ranges of methane that he might ignite it.

“We haven’t had water in 14 years,” he mentioned. “I’m simply attempting to get peace in my life.”

Write to Kris Maher at Kris.Maher@wsj.com

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo

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Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo


HARRISBURG, PA — Rail freight in Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformation, with $55 million approved to fund 30 vital improvement projects. These initiatives promise to boost economic development, enhance freight mobility, and create or sustain 344 jobs across the state. Among the standout ventures, East Penn Railroad, LLC’s $455,000 project to rehabilitate eight bridges is poised to deliver significant benefits to Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties.

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Freight Backbone

With 65 operating railroads spanning approximately 5,600 miles, Pennsylvania’s freight system is unmatched in its scale and importance. It is the backbone of the state’s economy, connecting local industries to national and global markets. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in collaboration with private rail operators and local businesses, has prioritized modernization through programs like the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).

“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”

Spotlight on East Penn Railroad

The East Penn Railroad project exemplifies the power of targeted infrastructure investment. The company will rehabilitate eight bridges across the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines—critical routes for businesses and industries in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties. These bridges are essential for the safe and efficient transportation of goods, and their rehabilitation will ensure that local businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to thrive.

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The funding will address aging infrastructure that has long hampered performance and safety. Once complete, these improvements will facilitate smoother operations, reduced delays, and greater capacity for freight transport. For local communities, this means more robust economic growth driven by increased business activity and better connections to other markets.

Building a Better Freight Future

East Penn’s effort is just one of 30 projects approved for funding, each addressing specific challenges within Pennsylvania’s rail network.

Some of the other key projects include:

  • CSX Transportation, Inc. ($13.1M) to rehabilitate the 25th Street Viaduct in Philadelphia, a crucial freight artery.
  • Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway ($5.8M) to improve six bridges across Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
  • NorthPoint Development, LLC ($3.8M) for Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard expansion in Bucks County, adding over 13,000 feet of new track to boost industrial capacity.

Each of these initiatives will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in freight innovation.

Why It Matters

Improving freight infrastructure isn’t just a convenience—it’s an economic imperative. For businesses, reliable rail transport lowers costs, increases efficiency, and enhances competitiveness in global markets. For workers, these projects create good-paying jobs during construction and unlock new opportunities for long-term employment in logistics and adjacent industries.

East Penn Railroad’s project, in particular, underscores how smart infrastructure investment can ripple outward. By ensuring that critical bridges are safe and reliable, the company will help make Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties more competitive while bolstering the local economy.

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Beyond the immediate economic benefits, these rail freight improvements also align with environmental goals. Rail transport is significantly more fuel-efficient than road freight, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding and modernizing Pennsylvania’s rail system, these projects signal a commitment to sustainable growth.

A Commitment to Progress

The Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly have demonstrated a shared commitment to infrastructure as a foundation for progress. Pennsylvania’s rail freight industry isn’t just about moving goods; it’s about creating a future where communities and businesses can flourish.

Pennsylvania’s bold leap forward on rail freight projects marks a turning point for the state. With East Penn Railroad paving the way, the Commonwealth is creating a more connected, competitive, and sustainable future for all.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.



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A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know

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A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know


Have a question about Philly’s neighborhoods or the systems that shape them? PlanPhilly reporters want to hear from you! Ask us a question or send us a story idea you think we should cover.

A Pennsylvania law that lays out how and when utility companies can shut off customers’ electricity, gas or water expires Dec. 31.

But the state’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter months and other protections will continue uninterrupted.

“The message that we’ve been hoping that people really hear is not to panic,” said Elizabeth Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.

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Utility shutoffs are an experience many Pennsylvania households deal with. In the first 10 months of 2024, utilities in the state disconnected more than 300,000 households and reconnected fewer than three-quarters of them.

In Philadelphia, one in four low-income households spends at least 16% of its income on energy bills — an energy burden that’s considered severe. Black and Hispanic households in Philadelphia spend more of their income on energy than households overall, and national surveys have shown non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic households are disconnected from utility service at higher rates than non-Hispanic white households.

Here’s what you need to know about the sunsetting statute. 

Pa.’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter continues

Pennsylvania’s winter shutoff moratorium will continue even after the law expires, because this and other protections are duplicated in another part of state code.

Between the frigid months of December through March, public utilities in Pennsylvania are restricted from terminating low-income customers’ service for nonpayment without permission from the Public Utility Commission.

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Water utilities cannot terminate heat-related service during this time period.

Gas and electric utilities cannot terminate service for households earning below $3,137 monthly for an individual or $6,500 for a family of four, based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines.

“We understand the importance of these protections to Pennsylvanians and remain committed to balancing the needs of consumers and utilities,” said Stephen DeFrank, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission chairman, in a statement.

There is a partial exception for city gas utilities, which can terminate service for households earning $1,882 to $3,137 monthly for an individual or $3,900 to $6,500 for a family of four, during part of the winter under certain circumstances.

If you can’t pay your utility bills in full, Marx recommends making at least some payment, because utilities consider a positive payment history when setting up payment plans.

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“Paying what you can, when you can, is very important, especially even through the winter, when the winter moratorium is in place,” she said.



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Ice-cold temperatures overnight, Impact Day Sunday

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Ice-cold temperatures overnight, Impact Day Sunday


Bitter cold weather has been the theme throughout the evening into tonight. Breezy winds will produce wind chill values in the teens overnight, then single digits to teens for our Sunday, prompting an Impact Day. Find out when we may have a chance at warming back up next week in the full forecast.



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