LAWMAKER CHALLENGES PENNSYLVANIA DEP'S REPORTING OF GAS WELL WATER SAFETY

By Don Hopey
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

November 2, 2012 - The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection produces incomplete lab reports and uses them to dismiss complaints that Marcellus Shale gas development operations have contaminated residential water supplies and made people sick, according to court documents. In response, state Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, Thursday called on state and federal agencies to investigate the DEP for "alleged misconduct and fraud" revealed by sworn depositions in a civil case currently in Washington County Common Pleas Court."This is beyond outrageous," Mr. White said. "Anyone who relied on the DEP for the truth about whether their water has been impacted by drilling activities has apparently been intentionally deprived of critical health and safety information by their own government."

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