Pennsylvania Regulators Levy $12.4M Civil Penalty on Natural Gas Operators for Watershed Violations

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced a joint consent decree Wednesday imposing $12.4 million in civil penalties on three natural gas pipeline operators following extensive sediment and stormwater violations across the Marcellus Shale region.

Environmental Audits and Enforcement Terms

The administrative enforcement action resolves 38 separate notices of violation documented between late 2024 and mid-2026 in Susquehanna, Bradford, and Lycoming counties. State inspections revealed unpermitted industrial runoff, inadequate slope stabilization, and sediment discharge into high-quality trout streams during gathering line expansion projects.

Under the terms negotiated by the Shapiro administration, the operators must pay $7.8 million directly to the state's Clean Water Fund and dedicate $4.6 million to local municipal stream restoration and drinking water filtration projects in affected townships.

Enhanced Compliance Monitoring

In addition to the monetary penalties, the pipeline operators must retain independent third-party environmental monitors, deploy drone-based erosion monitoring along all active rights-of-way, and submit monthly public compliance logs to the DEP.

Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized that Pennsylvania continues to welcome responsible energy development, but operators must strictly adhere to state clean water and environmental safety standards.

Remediation Timeline

Stream rehabilitation projects and riparian buffer planting in Susquehanna County are scheduled to commence in September under direct state oversight.