After undergoing months of speculation and scrutiny, Range Resources Corp. has taken another step towards being vindicated of guilt in the North Texas well water contamination allegations, according to a report by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Gene Montes and Donna Chandler, examiners from the hearing conducted by the Texas Railroad Commission, today issued a recommendation saying that the contamination "most likely" came from the shallow Strawn Formation, not the Barnett Shale as originally thought.

Their statement recommends that a final issue be ordered noting that the wells in question, Teal #1-H and Butler #1-H, "have not contributed and are not contributing to contamination of any domestic water wells."

The TRC will consider the recommendation and make a final decision on March 22.