Anschutz Company In Gasland Lawsuit

A Denver-based energy exploration company says a lawsuit claiming its operations in southwest New York have contaminated drinking water with gas and silt is nothing more than “an act of financial extortion” by some lawyers trying to enrich themselves.

Anschutz Exploration Corporation said Tuesday that while some residents in Big Flats are having water-quality problems with their wells, there is no evidence the company is responsible.

The company referred to findings of a New York study that said drilling operations were not likely the cause of contamination of the wells. The study pointed to naturally occurring gas as the culprit and said the gas could be dispersed by properly venting the wells.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in state Supreme Court on behalf of nine property owners in Chemung County.