They've been waiting a long time for justice on this one. State Impact (NPR):
Only two families out of the original 44 plaintiffs in the case against Cabot Oil and Gas went to trial after years of delays, lack of representation, and legal setbacks. Lead plaintiff Scott Ely worked for the driller before becoming a whistleblower.
“I saw so much on these job sites,” he said after the verdict. “I’m not only working for them I’m also a resident and as I’m working for them, I end up becoming a victim of it.”
Ely testified that even today, his water is still brown and muddy. He says he persisted with the case even when his original attorneys had dropped out and he had to represent himself. The other plaintiffs settled with the company and signed nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from speaking about their water issues. Ely says he always wanted his day in court.
The jury awarded $2.75 million to the Ely family. Of course Cabot is appealing, but the federal court judgment is likely to stand.
And perhaps this case is a dent in the armor of false "science" that claims fracking doesn't poison drinking water.
