DEP fines Chevron $940K for fatal gas well explosion, fire
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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chevron Appalachia has agreed to pay a nearly $940,000 fine levied by the state Department of Environmental Resources over a natural gas well explosion and fire that killed a contractor.
Earlier this month, Chevron agreed to pay $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of the worker, 27-year-old Ian McKee.
A Chevron spokeswoman says the Moon Township-based company “deeply regrets” the incident and has worked with the DEP to investigate and resolve the problems.
DEP spokesman John Poister says the agency doesn’t rank or track fines, but says it’s surely “one of the largest” ever imposed.
DEP investigators previously determined an inexperienced worker at Chevron’s site in Dunkard Township, Washington County, loosened a bolt without proper supervision, likely causing the well to leak and catch fire.