The State Department of Environmental Protection has fined Atlas Resources, LLC $85,000 for violations of the Oil and Gas Act, the Clean Streams Law and the Solid Waste Management Act at 13 well sites in Fayette, Washington, and Greene counties.

DEP said the violations, which occurred between Dec. 8, 2008, and July 31, 2009, involved Atlas' failure to control erosion and runoff at six well sites, failure to restore ground cover within nine months of finishing drilling and because of discharge of residual and industrial waste, including diesel fuel and production fluids, onto the ground at seven wells.

"Development of Pennsylvania's natural gas resource is important to the state's economy. However, that development need not -- and will not -- come at the expense of our environment," said Southwest Regional Director George Jugovic Jr. "DEP will ensure that Pennsylvania's gas resources are developed in an environmentally sound manner, consistent with the law."

Six of the wells are located in Monongahela and Cumberland townships, Greene County; six are in Washington, Jefferson, Nicholson, Redstone and German townships, Fayette County; and one is in Deemston Borough, Washington County.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.