Pa. fines Chesapeake Energy more than $500K

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has fined a gas driller more than $500,000 for three separate incidents in Potter and Bradford counties.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. agreed to pay $565,000 after state regulators found the Oklahoma City-based driller in violation of rules protecting streams and wetlands.

In one high-profile incident, Chesapeake lost control of a gas well in Leroy Township, Bradford County last April, allowing fluids from the well to enter Towanda Creek. Regulators found contaminants in the water but said there was no lasting impact.

In Potter County, the company allowed sediment from an access road and well pad to discharge into a high-quality stream. The sediment damaged a municipal water authority’s treatment filters.

A third incident involved damage to a wetland.

Chesapeake spokesman Brian Grove said today the company has worked hard to improve its operations.