Pa. township and firm settle lawsuit over seismic tests

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A western Pennsylvania township has settled a lawsuit over seismic testing after a federal judge’s ruling that it couldn’t interfere with a Texas company using public roads for the tests.

ION Geophysical Corp. of Houston won a preliminary injunction earlier this month after arguing that Westmoreland County’s Hempfield Township, about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, had no authority to block the testing.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that both sides filed a motion to settle and dismiss the suit Tuesday.

Township lawyer Michael Korns said the company has agreed to post a $100,000 performance bond and pay for any damage caused by the testing.