The Associated Press reports that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has reached an agreement with fracking giant Coterra (formerly Cabot Oil and Gas) that would allow the company to resume drilling operations in Dimock, the town that became an international flashpoint in the fight over fracking and water contamination. 

The agreement modifies a moratorium that has been in place since 2010. 

Food & Water Watch Pennsylvania State Director Megan McDonough released the following statement:

“This outrageous action by Governor Wolf is just one more gift his administration is delivering to the dirty fracking industry. The people of Dimock suffered at the hands of careless corporate polluters, as have other communities across Pennsylvania. Reaching this deal on the very same day that Coterra was in court for contaminating Dimock’s water raises serious questions about what was going on behind the scenes in the Wolf administration. This unconscionable action is a betrayal of suffering communities that are still years away from a permanent solution that will restore their access to clean water. 

“Governor Wolf should be ashamed of this agreement. Governor-elect Josh Shapiro must address this outrageous betrayal as soon as he takes office next month.”