Board: Fayette injection wells can’t operate without permit

BECKLEY, W.Va. – A state board says two underground injection wells in Fayette County can’t operate without a permit.

The West Virginia Environmental Quality Board says the Department of Environmental Protection violated state law when it allowed Danny Webb Construction to operate the injection wells in Lochgelly without a permit.

The Register-Herald reports that the board issued its ruling on Wednesday.

The DEP had revoked the company’s permit to inject natural gas drilling waste underground on March 4, 2014. But the DEP allowed the wells to continue operating until the company’s application to renew the permit is approved or denied.

The board gave the DEP 30 days to reissue a permit for the wells. The wells must cease operation if they don’t receive a permit.