DEP-Cabot settlement gets Rendell’s approval

http://citizensvoice.com/news/drilling/dep-cabot-settlement-gets-rendell-s-approval-1.1078462

DEP-Cabot settlement gets Rendell’s approval

By Robert Swift (Harrisburg Bureau Chief)
Published: December 17, 2010

HARRISBURG – Gov. Ed Rendell gave his personal stamp of approval today to the settlement between the Department of Environmental Protection and Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. to address water contamination problems in Dimock Township.

“It’s a good settlement because they (Cabot) share the fiscal responsibility of making this right,” Rendell said.

Under the settlement, Cabot agrees to pay $4.1 million to residents affected by methane contamination attributed to faulty Cabot natural gas wells. In exchange, DEP has dropped its plan to build a 12.5-mile waterline from Montrose to Dimock Township to restore water supplies to 19 families affected by methane contamination in their water supplies.

Rendell said the settlement is due to the determination of DEP Secretary John Hanger to reach a solution to the township’s water woes.

State regulators will watch Cabot very carefully as the company resumes hydrofracking operations and drilling for natural gas pockets in the area next year as provided under the settlement, Rendell said.

rswift@timesshamrock.com