BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – On August 15, Logsdon Valley Oil, also known as Hart Petroleum, was sentenced to three years of probation and a $100,000 fine for violating the Safe Drinking Water Act.

According to court documents, in 2019 the company illegally discharged fluids (also known as brine) from oil and gas production into sinkholes without a permit.

Logsdon Valley Oil, Inc. also violated the law in 2013 and has been convicted previously, the press release states.

“Enforcement of the Safe Drinking Water Act is critical to the safety of Kentucky’s groundwater,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky in a press release. “We will continue to work with EPA to prosecute those who violate federal environmental laws to keep our citizens safe and protect Kentucky’s natural resources.”

“Illegal discharge of salt water into an unpermitted well violates the Safe Drinking Water Act and puts groundwater quality at risk,” Assistant Special Agent Carroll said in a press release. “Our nation’s environmental laws are designed to protect public health and safety, and the conviction of Logsdon Valley Oil demonstrates that EPA and its law enforcement partners will take action to protect communities and their local water supplies.”

This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Judd prosecuted the case.

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