Investigations

On September 24, 2020, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania reached an agreement with Rockwater Northeast LLC and Select Energy Services, Inc. The agreement requires the two companies to pay a combined $4.3 million in monetary penalties and develop an enhanced environmental compliance program due to violations of the Clean Air Act.

 

Rockwater Northeast LLC is a Pennsylvania-based company that provides water management services to companies in the oil and gas industry. It was charged in an information with violating the law by installing “defeat devices” that disabled emissions diagnostic systems on commercial motor vehicles. Rockwater Northeast LLC has agreed to plead guilty and pay a monetary resolution of $2 million.

 

Select Energy Services, Inc., is a Texas-based company and the successor in interest to Rockwater Energy Solutions, Inc., the parent company of Rockwater Northeast LLC. Select Energy Services entered into a 3-year, non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the United States and agreed to pay a monetary resolution of $2.3 million. Under the terms of the NPA, the company will continue to cooperate with the Government, implement an environmental compliance program to prevent future violations of the Clean Air Act, and conduct annual audits for 3 years.

 

DOT-OIG is working on this investigation with the Environmental Protection Agency–Criminal Investigation Division. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Pennsylvania State Police provided substantial assistance.