Gas driller: Make homeowner pay for disparaging us

MONTROSE, Pa. (AP) — A gas driller’s ongoing feud with a Pennsylvania homeowner over the contamination of his water supply has once again entered a courtroom.

Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. claims Dimock resident Ray Kemble and his former lawyers tried to extort the company through a frivolous lawsuit. The federal lawsuit, which was filed in April but withdrawn two months later, accused Cabot of polluting Kemble’s water supply.

Cabot says the claims in Kemble’s suit were the subject of a 2012 settlement between Cabot and dozens of Dimock residents, including Kemble. It’s seeking monetary damages against Kemble and his former lawyers. The first hearing in the case was held Monday.

Kemble says Cabot is trying to use the legal system to shut down dissent.

- FWBP Digital Partners -

Pennsylvania regulators previously held Cabot responsible for polluting residential water wells in Dimock.