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Play by Rules

Abuses will not be tolerated again

Many West Virginians believe we can have the best of both worlds. That is, we can enjoy the financial benefits of the natural gas drilling boom while maintaining the natural splendor that is one of our state’s trademarks.

Insisting the energy industry play by those rules is imperative.

This week, it was revealed Antero Resources, the Colorado firm among the leaders in gas drilling here, has agreed to pay $3.15 million to resolve pollution violations at 32 sites in Tyler, Doddridge and Harrison counties. The settlement was worked out among the company, the U.S. Department of Justice and the state Department of Environmental Protection. It involves allegations Anterio violated the Clean Water Act.

Specifically, Antero was accused of unauthorized disposal of materials into streams near well sites. Part of the settlement includes the firm’s agreement to mitigate damage.

More than $3 million is a stiff price to pay for errors in judgment that damaged the environment. It works out to nearly $100,000 for each of the 32 affected sites.

Good for state and federal officials for pursuing the matter. Energy companies need to be reminded — where it counts, in their bank accounts — that West Virginians will not stand for a repeat of abuses inflicted in the past by the coal, oil, gas and timbering industries.

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At a time when Gov. Jim Justice and West Virginia legislators are considering budget increases running into eight figures for some line items, state Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt’s request amounts to chicken feed. He just wants a few more dollars in state funding so his agency can do its job.

Among Leonhardt’s requests are $417,500 more to update the department’s old laboratories and $350,000 to regulate West Virginia’s burgeoning hemp growing industry. As many as 150 new hemp-growing operations may open this year.

Leonhardt has demonstrated he runs a tight ship. Meanwhile, his initiatives are improving both the economic impact of agriculture and the availability of healthy, fresh produce.

Lawmakers should give him the comparatively small budget increase he seeks.

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