Plaintiffs Oppose Service Firm's Bid for Dismissal from Environmental Suit

TOWANDA, Pa. - A Pennsylvania state court heard argument Nov. 4 on a drilling service firm's preliminary objections to environmental claims filed by neighbors of a shale gas drilling operation. Burnett, et ux. v. Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC, et al., No. 11-cv-000080 (Pa. Ct. Comm. Pls., Bradford Cty.).

The Bradford County Court of Common Pleas reserved judgment on BJ Service Co.'s contention that Truman and Bonnie Burnett have failed to allege any specific wrongdoing by the company and that all claims against BJ should be dismissed.

In a complaint filed in state court in February 2011, the Burnetts allege that despite …