Range Resources Corp ., Fort Worth, has agreed to pay a $4.15 million fine, close five impoundments, and upgrade two others at its Washington County operations, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reported. The fine is the biggest against an oil and gas producer in the state’s shale drilling era, the agency said on Sept. 18. Violations included releases of contaminants, such as leaking flowback, that affected soil and groundwater, PDEP said. There has been no impact on drinking water from any of these impoundments, it noted. Under a consent order it reached with the agency, Range will begin to close its Hopewell Township 11 (Lowry), Cecil Township 23 (Worstell), and Kearns impoundments. Range also will continue the closure of the Yeager impoundment. It also must close the Hopewell Township 12 (Bednarski) impoundment by Apr. 1, 2015. DEP said the consent order also directs […]