Texas agency: Gas driller didn't contaminate water

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) - Texas regulators say the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was wrong when it concluded that a gas driller contaminated water wells in North Texas.

The Railroad Commission of Texas voted 3-0 Tuesday in Austin to approve its examiners' conclusions that gas wells drilled and operated by Range Resources of Fort Worth did not contaminate two water wells. The gas production and water wells are in Parker County, just west of Dallas.

In December, the EPA issued an emergency order blaming Range Resources for the contamination and giving the company 48 hours to provide the two affected families with clean drinking water.

The company has not complied. The EPA has asked a federal district court in Dallas to intervene.