Fracking Company to Pay Millions for WV Clean Water Act Violations

On Feb. 12, fracking company Antero Resources was ordered to pay $3.15 million for violations of the federal Clean Water Act and the West Virginia Pollution Control Act.

The company’s settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection follows multiple violations at 32 sites.

While extracting natural gas, Antero discharged unauthorized pollutants, including dredged and fill material, into streams and wetlands in Harrison, Doddridge and Tyler counties. According to the complaint, the EPA learned of the violations in 2011 and began enforcement proceedings that year.

In addition to paying the fine, the court ordered that Antero will be responsible for restoration and mitigation of the damaged sites, which the EPA estimates will cost $8 million. – By Hannah McAlister