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Feds Investigate Chesapeake For Potential Clean Water Act Violations

Scott Detrow / StateImpact Pennsylvania

Chesapeake CEO Aubrey McClendon


According to Reuters, the Department of Justice is investigating Chesapeake Energy for potentially violating the Clean Water Act at West Virginia drilling sites:

Chesapeake has responded to a subpoena request for documents related to four sites in the state that are already subject to CWA compliance orders from the Environmental Protection Agency, the company said in its annual regulatory filing on Wednesday.
“We understand that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating possible criminal violations of and liabilities under the CWA with respect to three of the four sites,” Chesapeake said. “We are cooperating with the DOJ’s investigation.”
Under the CWA, civil penalties can be as high as $37,500 per day, per violation, and possible criminal penalties range from $2,500 to $25,000 per day.

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