Pa. drops $8.9M fine against drilling firm HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania environmental regulators are not pursuing an $8.9 million fine against a Texas-based energy company previously accused of repeatedly failing to repair a natural-gas well that contaminated groundwater and a stream.State regulators had said stray gas caused elevated methane levels in several water wells in the north-central part of the state.On Saturday, Range Resources-Appalachia was notified the state won’t pursue the fine for alleged violations associated with the gas well. The company withdrew its appeal of the proposed penalty after the state rescinded it.Range denies it caused the contamination.A state spokesman says they’re investigating.

Muscle cars not strong in crash testsDETROIT — Muscle cars may look cool, but they don’t offer the best protection in a crash.The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger didn’t get the highest ratings in new tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The institute, which is funded by insurers, tested 2016 models.The Mustang earned the highest rating on four of the five tests, but didn’t do as well on the small overlap test, which simulates what happens when a small portion of the car’s front end hits a pole at 40 miles per hour.The Camaro did well on that test but had a lower rating for roof strength. The Challenger was the worst performer, with lower ratings for roof strength, seat and headrest strength and the small overlap test.

Toyota adds 1.6M vehicles to recallDETROIT — Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling nearly 1.6 million vehicles in the U.S. to replace potentially faulty front passenger air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. of Japan.The action expands what was already the biggest automotive recall in U.S. history. The U.S. government announced earlier this month that 17 automakers — including Toyota — are adding 35 million to 40 million Takata inflators to the 28.8 million that have already been recalled.The latest recall includes Toyota, Scion and Lexus models from the 2006-2011 model years.The air bags can deploy with too much force, breaking apart the metal inflator and spewing shrapnel into the vehicle. They are responsible for at least 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries worldwide.The government said the inflators must be replaced before they reach six years old, when the risk of rupture increases.Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that inflates air bags in a crash. But the chemical can degrade over time and when exposed to humidity and a large number of hot and cool temperature cycles.Toyota said it will notify customers by mail.