DEP fines gas company $1.1 million over 2022 leak in Cambria County

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has fined gas company Equitrans $1.1 million for violations related to the 2022 gas leak at its storage facility in Cambria County.

In early November 2022, many Jackson Township residents heard what sounded like a large jet engine nearby.

Officials say the sounds were likely the venting of natural gas at the Rager Mountain storage site, which is owned and operated by Equitrans Midstream.

According to authorities, about 1.037 billion cubic feet of natural gas was released into the atmosphere over a period of nearly two weeks, making it one of the largest gas leaks in the world.

Officials said the leak was eventually repaired and was determined to be caused by corrosion.

DEP officials say an investigation into the leak revealed “numerous violations” at the storage site and resulted in multiple orders to Equitrans to correct those violations.

Since November 2022, DEP has been working around the clock to ensure the safety of Pennsylvanians and hold Equitrans accountable for the uncontrolled release of natural gas at Rager Mountain. DEP responded immediately to this incident, from oil and gas personnel and emergency responders to air quality inspectors and geologists who reviewed cleanup and remediation plans,” said DEP Acting Interim Secretary Jessica Shirley. “The department is committed to holding operators accountable, and we will continue to monitor the environmental impacts of this incident to ensure the health and safety of Pennsylvanians.

Authorities say Equitrans complied with the orders and the DEP continues to work to monitor the Rager Mountain site and the environmental impacts of the leak.