Probation Given for Dumping Shale-Drilling Waste

Probation Given for Dumping Shale-Drilling Waste by Kris Maher, June 15, 2012, Wall Street Journal
A Pennsylvania man who pleaded guilty to illegally dumping millions of gallons of wastewater from shale-gas drilling over several years was sentenced to seven years of probation in a closely watched criminal prosecution. Greene County Judge Farley Toothman said Robert Allan Shipman engaged in a “pollution spree” that was “dastardly,” but cited mitigating factors including Mr. Shipman’s cooperation and the recent suicide of his stepdaughter. He also cited past indifference of prosecutors to such crimes. “Let this case be a fair warning to everyone in the industry that higher standards are expected,” the judge said.