Under the voluntary agreement, Consol will treat mine-water discharge from four mines at a rate of 3500 gallons per minute, removing 95-98% of pollutants via a centralized reverse osmosis/zero liquid discharge facility.

“Consol Energy is making an investment of $200 million as part of this commitment,” the company said.

“This facility, together with a similar $100 million water treatment facility that Consol Energy is currently in the process of commissioning at its Buchanan mine in Virginia, puts the company at the forefront of environmental stewardship.”

Consol will also pay the EPA $5.5 million, without admitting any liability, it said. The amount was included in its previous financial statements, so will have no impact on 2011 earnings.

State DEP cabinet secretary Randy Huffman said the agreement set an example for environmental protection in accordance with the law while also maintaining the area’s economy.

“In the days immediately following the fish kill in Dunkard Creek, Consol voluntarily worked with the DEP and the EPA to proactively manage their mining operations to minimize the risk of another algae outbreak while at the same time keeping their miners working," he said.

Consol said that, with the announcement made Monday afternoon, it was challenging other operators in the region to follow its lead.

"This agreement advances stricter water quality standards that Consol, and soon others, must meet," company senior vice-president of environmental strategy and regulatory affairs Katharine Fredriksen said.

“However, the watershed approach is the first of its kind and we believe it is an example others should look to in meeting their environmental challenges.”