Moundsville, WV – TransEnergy, Inc., a Nevada-based natural gas drilling company, was convicted of violating federal environmental regulations in 2015, following an investigation into illegal discharges of pollutants into West Virginia waterways. The case, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia and investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of negligent practices during Marcellus Shale drilling operations in Marshall County.
According to court documents, TransEnergy pled guilty to three counts of “Negligent Discharge of Pollutants without a Permit,” admitting to dumping rock, sand, soil, and stone into Wolf Run, the North Fork of Grave Creek, and the Left Fork of Maggoty Run. These materials were used to construct impoundments – essentially dams – intended to supply water for the company’s fracking activities. The discharges occurred without the necessary permits mandated by the Clean Water Act.
The EPA’s investigation uncovered significant failures in TransEnergy’s environmental oversight. The company admitted it failed to adequately train and supervise its employees, and critically, relied on unsubstantiated claims from a local property owner regarding compliance with environmental laws. This reliance, rather than conducting independent verification, proved to be a fatal flaw in their operational procedures.
Environmental Impact & Federal Response
“Altering wetlands can significantly impact water quality and wildlife,” stated David G. McLeod, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in West Virginia. “By holding violators accountable, EPA is protecting valuable wetlands as well as the communities around them.” The case highlights the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and protecting the nation’s water resources. The investigation was a collaborative effort between federal and state enforcement partners, demonstrating the power of interagency cooperation in tackling environmental crime.
Legal Ramifications and Penalties
TransEnergy was initially charged on August 29, 2014, with violating 33 U.S.C. 1319, a section of the Clean Water Act prohibiting the negligent discharge of pollutants. On October 1, 2014, the company entered a guilty plea. On April 22, 2015, the court sentenced TransEnergy to a $600,000 fine – $200,000 per count – and a two-year probationary period under court supervision. Separate violations related to two additional impoundments were addressed through civil penalties. John G. Corp, President of TransEnergy, signed the plea agreement on behalf of the company.
Key Facts
- Defendant: TransEnergy, Inc.
- Crime: Violations of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319)
- Location: Marshall County, West Virginia
- Date of Sentencing: April 22, 2015
- Fine: $600,000
- Probation: 72 months
- Pollutants Discharged: Rock, sand, soil, and stone into local waterways.
- Root Cause: Lack of employee training and reliance on unsubstantiated claims regarding environmental compliance.
The Clean Water Act, enacted by Congress to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters, makes it illegal to discharge pollutants from a point source without a permit. This case serves as a stark reminder to the energy industry that environmental regulations are not merely guidelines, but legally binding requirements with significant consequences for non-compliance. GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on corporate accountability.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Crowell, Clean Water Act Violation, NC 2017 · West Virginia
- Monica Borowicz, Clean Water Act Violation, VA 2019 · West Virginia
- Robert Thomas Barnes, Clean Water Act Violation, VA 1984 · West Virginia
- Paul Tudor Jones II, Clean Water Act Violation, MD 1991 · West Virginia
- Donald T. Hoffman, Clean Water Violation, VA 2001 · West Virginia
