WPX Energy Fined $1.2 Million for Pennsylvania Groundwater Contamination in 2012

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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection levied a $1.2 million fine against Tulsa-based WPX Energy for contaminating the groundwater supply of five households in 2012, according to a report by NewsOK.com.

WPX Energy agreed to pay the million dollar fine following an agreed consent order issued last December.

The leak occurred at a wastewater pit about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh beneath the oil and natural gas exploration company’s site in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

WPX Energy provided bottled water and water-treatment systems at the affected households. The company is required to demonstrate how it remediated the contaminated site, according to the report.

Since the spill, WPX Energy has sold a majority of its Marcellus Shale holdings despite maintaining a small presence in the play area.