During compressor shutdowns on Aug. 23 and Oct. 26, natural gas was vented into the atmosphere, the agency stated. Malfunctions allowed lubricating oil to mix with the natural gas as it was vented, and the oil was atomized into the atmosphere. The oil emissions reached surrounding properties and a nearby pond, which constituted violations of the companys air plan approval, the Air Pollution Control Act and Clean Streams Law. The company also failed to notify the department of the incidents as required by department regulations, the agency said.

According to the consent orders, the Aug. 23 incident involved 20 gallons of lubricating oil in a compressor, DEP spokesman John Repelz told Lube Report. The Oct. 26 incident was a smaller discharge that did not reach beyond a parking lot near the facility, Repelz added.

While both incidents were accidental, the discharges violated environmental law, said Pennsylvania DEP South-central Regional Director Rachel Diamond. By waiting for up to two days to report the incidents to DEP, the company failed to act in a responsible manner protective of the publics health and safety and the environment.

The agency noted that Steckman Ridge hired an environmental firm to clean up the affected neighboring sites and pond, and to test a local drinking water well to determine if it had been contaminated. The environmental firm has completed all cleanup activities.

Steckman Ridge LP is a joint venture equally owned by subsidiaries of natural gas infrastructure company Spectra Energy and energy services provider New Jersey Resources.