Pipeline violations draw DEP fines
The state Department of Environmental Protection has fined two area natural gas companies for not constructing pipelines as approved in their permits with the agency.
According to a news release from DEP Monday, CNX Gas Co. LLC was fined $139,000 and CONE Midstream Partners LP was fined $45,000 for violating the state’s Clean Streams Law and Oil and Gas Act.
DEP stated that during a routine inspection in December, inspectors from the agency’s Southwest Oil and Gas District discovered that CNS’s McQuay to Morris Pipeline and the Morris Spur Pipeline were not constructed to the standards contained in their Erosion and Sediment Control General Permits. The inspection showed that the pipelines were constructed outside the exact area specified in the permit (limit of disturbance) and in one case a gravel road and a pad for a valve were constructed but not identified in the permit application.
During a follow-up meeting with the agency, the companies acknowledged that other pipelines were in violation for earth-moving beyond the boundaries contained in the ESCGP permits.
Ultimately, 20 pipelines belonging to CNX and seven owned by CONE Midstream were determined to be in noncompliance. The pipelines are located in Greene, Washington, Indiana and Jefferson counties.
Under the consent order and agreements, CNX and CONE will have until Nov. 15 to complete a review of their pipelines. The companies will have 90 business days after DEP approval of their plans to bring the pipelines into compliance.
If the reviews reveal additional pipeline projects that are out of compliance, the companies can add those to the consent order. The additions will be reviewed by DEP on a case-by-case basis, and additional penalties could be imposed.
The companies had until July 31 to either permanently stabilize and restore locations where the ESCGPs have expired, or they can apply for new ESCGP authorization. According to DEP, they have since been working with the agency toward compliance at the sites.
The companies face additional penalties for each day if they fail to meet time frames set up in the consent order.