Gabler Blasts EPA Over Well Permitting

JAMES CITY – State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) is addressing a story we ran yesterday about a Pleasantville man's indictment on federal charges related to a permit for an underground disposal well in Highland Township, Elk County.

According to the indictment filed by a federal grand jury Pleasantville-based S & T Services and Supply Inc. contracted with ARG Resources Inc. to plug abandoned oil wells so that ARG would be in compliance with its injection-well-permitting process under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

44-year-old Ronald Wright was then hired by S & T Services to perform the well plugging, but the indictment says he filed false claims that he had plugged the wells.

Gabler issued the following statement:

“(This) report is yet another devastating indictment of the EPA’s underground injection well permitting process. Reports show the EPA is investigating a case of fraudulent testimony – testimony which they relied upon to issue the injection well permit near James City, despite an ongoing investigation into the validity of the testimony.

“Without a doubt, the EPA is dead wrong in their recent issuance of permits in both Clearfield (Brady Township) and Elk counties. The Obama Administration’s obvious disregard for our region is on display in both cases. This unaccountable bureaucracy needs to be reined in and held accountable for the decisions they make that have a real impact on the lives of rural Pennsylvanians.

“As a state official and citizen, I am infuriated by our Federal Government’s failure to live up to its core responsibilities to the health and welfare of the citizens of our area. I am committed to continuing the fight by advocating good policies in Harrisburg and by working with our federal officials to ensure better protection for our families, friends, neighbors and communities across Pennsylvania.”

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