Texas water company fined by Canadian County

Texas-based Select Energy has become the first to be fined under Canadian County’s 8-month policy requiring firms obtain a permit before using the county rights-of-way for temporary pipelines.

The Yukon Review reported Select Energy was fined $1,000 for failing to obtain the permit. The firm also forfeited another $1,000 to pay for the cost of replacing a tire on a county tractor that was damaged after it ran over a stake left by the company in grass.

“This shows the process is working,” said District 3 Commissioner Jack Stewart. He requested the policy in January, voicing concerns about energy companies using the county rights-of-way and leaving equipment without notifying the county.

Stewart said his crew was cutting high grass along a right-of-way when a tractor ran over a hidden stake and blew out one of the tires. The replacement cost was nearly $900.

Select Energy, according to records, had not obtained a permit for the temporary line and removed it but not the stakes.

Select Energy has operational offices in Oklahoma City but its headquarters are in Houston, Texas.