“The truck we inspected, which was carrying drill cuttings from natural gas well sites, violated the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act and the state’s residual waste regulations,” said DEP North-central Regional Waste Management Program Manager James Miller. “It was also approximately 20,000 pounds overweight, which violated the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.”

The waste violations, Miller explained, included having no contingency plan on board; no sign identifying the type of waste being transported; and no sign identifying the name and address of the vehicle’s owner.

The dump truck’s driver also refused to provide DEP staff with an Act 90 authorization card, registration card, driver’s license or any other requested information and would not allow DEP staff to complete its inspection of the vehicle. Waste haulers must obtain authorization from DEP through Act 90—the state’s Waste Transportation Safety Act—to haul trash in Pennsylvania.

“Transportation companies hauling waste from the gas drilling industry must comply with Act 90 and our residual waste transportation regulations,” said Miller.  “DEP will not tolerate resistance by company drivers when asked to provide relevant compliance information.”

Following an initial payment of $1,583, Grand Water Rush is paying the remainder of the fine in six $1,000 monthly payments to the Solid Waste Abatement Fund.

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