When will NGOs and conservation groups start saying “No Thank you!” to law violating polluting oil and gas and frac companies? Accepting such “donations” enables the harms and pollution (often intentional dumping) to continue, if not escalate. Say “NO!”
AG Shapiro: Inflection Energy to Pay $40,000 To Conservation Groups For Polluting Lycoming County Water by David E. Hess, May 4, 2020, PA Environment Digest Blog
On May 4, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Inflection Energy, a natural gas company, has entered a plea for its role in the 2017 wastewater spill in Loyalsock Creek located in Lycoming County, and will pay $40,000 to conservation groups in the area.
“Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean air and pure water,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “Any company that endangers those rights will be thoroughly investigated, without fear or favor. This is just another example– there will be more– as we continue our efforts to protect public health and preserve our heritage and natural resources for the next generation.”
Inflection Energy’s plea is the result of charges filed against the company by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in November 2019.
An investigation conducted by the Office revealed that on Nov. 12 and 13, 2017, Inflection Energy allowed 63,000 gallons of wastewater from a hydraulic fracturing site to pollute a nearby tributary of the Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
As part of Inflection Energy’s plea, it will pay $40,000 to environmental charities and conservation groups, including the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association; this is in addition to and separate from its $10,000 fine payable to the Clean Water fund and $5,000 fine payable to the Pennsylvania Fish Fund.
The case was prosecuted by Rebecca Franz, Chief Deputy Attorney General of the Environmental Crimes Section for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Refer also to:
2010 09 28: EnCana Corporation facing criminal charges Encana “donates” and escapes the charges two years later 2012 09 12: $250000 in community safety projects following Encana deadly sour gas leak
Is Encana above the law in Canada? The company was never charged for breaking the law and fracturing Rosebud community’s drinking water supply, contaminating numerous water wells; instead the regulators bullied and shamed the impacted residents, and violated Ernst’s charter rights to punish her for presenting the AER with documented evidence of Encana breaking the law. Top that with the Supreme Court of Canada lying about it in their ruling in Ernst vs AER
A Calgary-based natural gas company has been ordered to pay $235,000 to wildlife groups after dead birds were found floating in one of its containment tanks in northern British Columbia.
Painted Pony Energy Ltd. pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced last month for depositing a harmful substance in an area frequented by migratory birds.
Environment Canada says enforcement officers found 14 dead migratory birds on the surface of an above-ground tank located north of Fort St. John that was used to store fluid for the hydraulic fracturing process.
A B.C. provincial court judge ordered Painted Pony to pay $115,000 to Ducks Unlimited Canada and $57,500 each to the Mackenzie Nature Observatory and to the Oiled Wildlife Society of British Columbia.
A court ordering a company to give money to groups that further enable oil and gas industry crimes and pollution (synergize), shows just how deeply oil patch controlled Canada’s courts are. Companies use ordered donations as positive publicity, boast what wonderful generous companies they are.
Cochrane Eagle reader questions drilling on Hutchinson lands donated to Nature Conservancy
Encana donation supports Sweetwater County center
Encana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc. recently awarded the Sweetwater County Child Developmental Center a grant for $2,400 to support therapy services for the children.
EnCana $1 Million donation to University of Calgary questioned as company awaits energy decision
MUST READ Dirty Dollars, Special investigation by the Toronto Star
Another MUST READ Toronto Star Investigation: These average Ontarians are taking on big Polluters
