State AG files criminal charges against Equitrans, faults company for 2018 home explosion
The state attorney general’s office filed charges Monday against Equitrans Midstream that accuse the company of causing a 2018 house explosion in Morgan Township, Greene County.
The Cecil Township-based company is charged with a felony for allegedly violating the Pennsylvania Clean Streams law, as well as misdemeanors for prohibited discharge of industrial waste and polluting.
The complaint alleges that natural gas leaked from a nearby storage well into the home’s water well. Equitrans is also accused of failing to perform an investigation following the explosion.
The home at 161 Bowser Road exploded on Oct. 31, 2018. Cody White and his son James were injured as a result and flown to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Equitrans denied responsibility in an emailed statement.
“First and foremost, Equitrans fully cooperated with this grand jury investigation, and we believe the substantial operational evidence that we presented to the state factually demonstrates that Equitrans’ operations were not the cause of the incident,” said Natalie Cox, the company’s vice president of communications.
According to the criminal complaint, a grand jury that investigated the incident recommend charges last week. Attorney General Michelle Henry will be in Pittsburgh today for a press conference to discuss the charges.