States Exert Little Enforcement Of Gas Drilling Boom, Report Says

Even as a push for unconventional oil and gas has triggered a drilling boom not seen in the U.S. for decades, a published report finds that enforcement of environmental regulations associated with this drilling has been minimal. In a review of data from major drilling states, Greenwire has found that a small percentage of environmental infractions actually result in fines. And even when penalties are imposed, they typically represent a small portion of the overall profits of these drilling operations. In Texas, the report says, 96 percent of the 80,000 violations in 2009 resulted in no enforcement action. In West Virginia, where there are 56,000 wells in operation, only 19 penalties were issued last year. In Pennsylvania, officials have levied fines for 117 of last year’s 2,704 violations, including a $900,000 fine for a drilling company that contaminated the drinking water for 16 homes. That amount, Greenwire reports, is less than the profit the company earns in three hours.