PA Marcellus News Digest
October 17, 2012
Note: Release "Supreme Court Hearing for Act 13 concluded" today following articles.
Articles
Zoning war: State battles communities over drilling rights
Beaver County Times
Rachel Morgan
Oct 16
DARLINGTON TWP. — To Debbie Lambert of Darlington Township, today’s state Supreme Court hearing isn’t about zoning rights in relation to natural gas drilling. It’s about noise, traffic and quality of life.
Link: http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/zoning-war-state-battles-communities-over-drilling-rights/article_4c0fe995-003d-548d-8dce-a4e810137ef2.html
Beaver County Times
Rachel Morgan
Oct 16
DARLINGTON TWP. — To Debbie Lambert of Darlington Township, today’s state Supreme Court hearing isn’t about zoning rights in relation to natural gas drilling. It’s about noise, traffic and quality of life.
Link: http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/zoning-war-state-battles-communities-over-drilling-rights/article_4c0fe995-003d-548d-8dce-a4e810137ef2.html
State Supreme Court to hear Shale law challenge today
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Oct 17
When state attorneys defend the new Marcellus Shale drilling law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today, they'll be addressing a panel of justices who weighed in on a gas-drilling ordinance case a little more than three years ago.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/state-supreme-court-to-hear-shale-law-challenge-today-657892/
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Oct 17
When state attorneys defend the new Marcellus Shale drilling law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today, they'll be addressing a panel of justices who weighed in on a gas-drilling ordinance case a little more than three years ago.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/state-supreme-court-to-hear-shale-law-challenge-today-657892/
Pennsylvania Supreme Court hears arguments over Marcellus Shale law
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Oct 17
State Supreme Court justices listened to nearly two hours of arguments in Pittsburgh this morning over whether aspects of the state's new Marcellus Shale drilling law take too much power away from local governments.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/state-supreme-court-hears-arguments-over-marcellus-shale-law-657906/
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Oct 17
State Supreme Court justices listened to nearly two hours of arguments in Pittsburgh this morning over whether aspects of the state's new Marcellus Shale drilling law take too much power away from local governments.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/state-supreme-court-hears-arguments-over-marcellus-shale-law-657906/
Three key committee leadership posts to open
Times-Tribune
Robert Swift
Oct 14
HARRISBURG - A major turnover in the leadership of the House and Senate committees overseeing environmental and energy legislation is on tap for next session.
Link: http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorials-columns/guest-columnists/three-key-committee-leadership-posts-to-open-1.1387635
Times-Tribune
Robert Swift
Oct 14
HARRISBURG - A major turnover in the leadership of the House and Senate committees overseeing environmental and energy legislation is on tap for next session.
Link: http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorials-columns/guest-columnists/three-key-committee-leadership-posts-to-open-1.1387635
AG seeks dismissal of 'gag rule' lawsuit
Citizens Voice
Elizabeth Skrapits
Oct 17
The state attorney general on Tuesday sought the dismissal of a lawsuit against her that claims a medical "gag rule" in new natural gas legislation violates a Dallas doctor's constitutional right to communicate with his patients.
Link: http://citizensvoice.com/news/ag-seeks-dismissal-of-gag-rule-lawsuit-1.1389165
Citizens Voice
Elizabeth Skrapits
Oct 17
The state attorney general on Tuesday sought the dismissal of a lawsuit against her that claims a medical "gag rule" in new natural gas legislation violates a Dallas doctor's constitutional right to communicate with his patients.
Link: http://citizensvoice.com/news/ag-seeks-dismissal-of-gag-rule-lawsuit-1.1389165
Anti-fracking advocates hold protest
Citizens Voice
Elizabeth Skrapits
Oct 16
MONROE TWP. - People opposed to fracking for natural gas protested Monday against the infrastructure used to bring the gas to market.
About two dozen people from as far away as Ithaca, N.Y., and Bloomsburg gathered in front of PVR Partners' natural gas dehydration station on Route 309 across from the former Beaumont Inn. Rebecca Roter of Brooklyn Township, Susquehanna County, organized the rally as part of national "Occupy the Pipeline" day.
Link: http://citizensvoice.com/news/anti-fracking-advocates-hold-protest-1.1388558
Citizens Voice
Elizabeth Skrapits
Oct 16
MONROE TWP. - People opposed to fracking for natural gas protested Monday against the infrastructure used to bring the gas to market.
About two dozen people from as far away as Ithaca, N.Y., and Bloomsburg gathered in front of PVR Partners' natural gas dehydration station on Route 309 across from the former Beaumont Inn. Rebecca Roter of Brooklyn Township, Susquehanna County, organized the rally as part of national "Occupy the Pipeline" day.
Link: http://citizensvoice.com/news/anti-fracking-advocates-hold-protest-1.1388558
DEP officials: We didn’t change policy
Ellwood City Ledger
Rachel Morgan
Oct 16
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials said Monday they didn’t change their policy for water contamination cases in relation to Marcellus shale drilling.
Link: http://www.ellwoodcityledger.com/news/local_news/dep-officials-we-didn-t-change-policy/article_457c023b-0aa7-5a50-abbc-ca9be73e5203.html
Ellwood City Ledger
Rachel Morgan
Oct 16
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials said Monday they didn’t change their policy for water contamination cases in relation to Marcellus shale drilling.
Link: http://www.ellwoodcityledger.com/news/local_news/dep-officials-we-didn-t-change-policy/article_457c023b-0aa7-5a50-abbc-ca9be73e5203.html
Philadelphia to get $1.3 million from Marcellus Shale impact fee
Inquirer
Angela Couloumbis
Oct 16
HARRISBURG - Drilling rigs are hardly a part of Philadelphia's cityscape, but the city will nonetheless receive just shy of $1.3 million this year from the state's new impact fee on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Link: http://articles.philly.com/2012-10-16/news/34500484_1_impact-fee-fee-on-natural-gas-fee-structure
Inquirer
Angela Couloumbis
Oct 16
HARRISBURG - Drilling rigs are hardly a part of Philadelphia's cityscape, but the city will nonetheless receive just shy of $1.3 million this year from the state's new impact fee on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Link: http://articles.philly.com/2012-10-16/news/34500484_1_impact-fee-fee-on-natural-gas-fee-structure
Pennsylvania Supreme Court hears Marcellus Shale case
Morning Call
Kevin Begos, AP
Oct 16
PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a natural gas case that could create chaos for major energy companies and thousands of leaseholders. But the questions from the justices suggested they may be reluctant to cause such disruptions by significantly modifying existing law.
Link: http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-gas-drilling-mineral-rights-20121016,0,1727752.story
Morning Call
Kevin Begos, AP
Oct 16
PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a natural gas case that could create chaos for major energy companies and thousands of leaseholders. But the questions from the justices suggested they may be reluctant to cause such disruptions by significantly modifying existing law.
Link: http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-gas-drilling-mineral-rights-20121016,0,1727752.story
Pipelines add dramatically to natural gas output
Pitt Trib
Reuters
Oct 16
Natural gas prices escaped a rout this summer as record heat helped reduce towering inventory levels. This winter, fierce cold will be needed to help absorb the newest barrage of supply that will again test the limits of an over-supplied market.
Link: http://triblive.com/state/marcellusshale/2786705-74/gas-marcellus-pipelines-prices-northeast-bcfd-market-output-pipeline-supply#axzz29TQ7ESNH
Pitt Trib
Reuters
Oct 16
Natural gas prices escaped a rout this summer as record heat helped reduce towering inventory levels. This winter, fierce cold will be needed to help absorb the newest barrage of supply that will again test the limits of an over-supplied market.
Link: http://triblive.com/state/marcellusshale/2786705-74/gas-marcellus-pipelines-prices-northeast-bcfd-market-output-pipeline-supply#axzz29TQ7ESNH
DCNR has no intention of drilling in state parks
Patriot-News
Rick Allan
DCNR Secretary
Letter to the Editor
Good employment policy -- not to mention decorum -- dictates that employers do not publicly discuss personnel matters.
Unfortunately, employees separated from their jobs might concoct stories regarding their separation. However, readers do not deserve baseless editorials such as yours ("Do recent DCNR issues spell trouble?" Oct. 15), which give credence to false allegations.
Link: http://www.pennlive.com/letters/index.ssf/2012/10/dcnr_has_no_intention_of_drill.html
Patriot-News
Rick Allan
DCNR Secretary
Letter to the Editor
Good employment policy -- not to mention decorum -- dictates that employers do not publicly discuss personnel matters.
Unfortunately, employees separated from their jobs might concoct stories regarding their separation. However, readers do not deserve baseless editorials such as yours ("Do recent DCNR issues spell trouble?" Oct. 15), which give credence to false allegations.
Link: http://www.pennlive.com/letters/index.ssf/2012/10/dcnr_has_no_intention_of_drill.html
Legal challenge over state shale law heads to court today
Post-Gazette
Oct 17
The legal challenge over the state's new Marcellus Shale gas drilling law heads to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court this morning.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/legal-challenge-over-state-shale-law-heads-to-court-today-657870/
Post-Gazette
Oct 17
The legal challenge over the state's new Marcellus Shale gas drilling law heads to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court this morning.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/legal-challenge-over-state-shale-law-heads-to-court-today-657870/
Marcellus Enters the Attorney General’s Race, Sort of…
Republicans falsely accuse Kane of profiting from drilling-related business
Republicans falsely accuse Kane of profiting from drilling-related business
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Oct 17
Link: https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/10/17/marcellus-enters-the-attorney-generals-race-sort-of/
Susan Phillips
Oct 17
Link: https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/10/17/marcellus-enters-the-attorney-generals-race-sort-of/
Industry Issues Guidance on Methane Migration
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Oct 16
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/10/16/industry-issues-guidance-on-methane-migration/
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Oct 16
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/10/16/industry-issues-guidance-on-methane-migration/
PRESS RELEASE: Supreme Court Hearing for Act 13 concluded
Oct 17
(full text below)
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Brian Coppola, Robinson Township Board of Supervisors, Washington County
Deron Gabriel, President, South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners, Allegheny County
dgabriel@gabriellaw.net and 412-261-6124
Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, 215-369-1188 x 102
Steve Hvozdovich, Marcellus Shale Policy Associate with Clean Water Action, 412-765-3053 x210 Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, 215-369-1188 x 104
Counsel for original plaintiffs: John M. Smith, 724-745-5121; Jonathan M. Kamin, 412-281-1119;
Jordan B. Yeager, 267-898-0570; William A. Johnson, 724-225-3955;
Susan Kraham of the Environmental Law Clinic, Columbia University School of Law
Daniel Raichel, Attorney for municipal Amici, Natural Resources Defense Council, 212-727-4455
Deborah Goldberg, Attorney for nonprofit organization Amici, Earthjustice, 212-845-7377
Municipalities, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, 32 Amici go to
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Defend Commonwealth Court Decision
that Act 13 is Unconstitutional
Wave of Dissent Sweeps into Highest Court to Protect Municipal Rights from Gas Industry Takeover
Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard argument today that Pennsylvania’s Act 13 is unconstitutional, unjustly supersedes all local ordinances related to oil and gas operations, extinguishes municipal zoning of these operations, and exposes the public and the environment to pollution and degradation from these activities. Attorneys for the case appeared before the Court, which heard the Commonwealth’s appeal of the Commonwealth Court’s declaration that overturned the municipal preemption provisions and environmental waiver provisions of Act 13.
“We believe Act 13 clearly violates the Pennsylvania constitution and makes it impossible to carry out the responsibilities of elected office,” said Brian Coppola, Supervisor, Robinson Township, and one of the original petitioners in the legal challenge to Act 13.
“Ample legal precedent (i.e., the Huntley case) and stakeholder support (i.e., amicus briefs filed by PSATS, PSAB, PA Planners, etc.) exists to ensure that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will properly uphold the bipartisan decision rendered by the learned Commonwealth Court in late July,” said
Deron Gabriel, President, South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners.
“As the Commonwealth Court recognized, the legislature and Governor completely overreached in enacting Act 13. Act 13 deprives citizens of their democratic rights to local government, violates property rights protected by locally enacted zoning ordinances, and jeopardizes public health. We are confident that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will agree and uphold the Commonwealth Court’s well-reasoned decision,” said Jordan Yeager, Esq., attorney for the Petitioners challenging Act 13.
Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, said, “The gas industry interests thought they could just march all over everything and everybody that was in their way, but together we fought them back and now have our day before the Supreme Court, where we have every expectation of fairness and justice. Pennsylvania is undergoing the largest drilling campaign in its history, and municipalities need to be able to have a say over these dangerous and polluting activities within their borders.”
"Clean Water Action is proud to join 19 other organizations in filing an amicus in support of the lawsuit against Act 13. The zoning provision of Act 13 is nothing more than an attack on municipalities who attempted to protect their residents and community by exercising their longstanding power. By caving to the demands of special interests, our governor and legislature have enacted a dangerous policy that threatens the safety and security of our homes and schools by allow drilling to occur in all areas, including residential. Clean Water Action hopes the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will uphold the Commonwealth Court’s ruling and restore zoning power regarding natural gas operations to local governments,” said Steve Hvozdovich, Marcellus Shale Policy Associate with Clean Water Action.
“The Pittsburgh City Council stands in support of the municipalities fighting to defend their local zoning rights,” said Pittsburgh City Councilman William Peduto. “The ability to create zoning rules to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents is one of the most important roles of a city and its elected representatives and it is critical that we safeguard it.”
Background:
Seven municipalities, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and Dr. Mehernosh Khan filed a legal pleading in Commonwealth Court on March 29, 2012 challenging Act 13, also known as HB1950, which was signed into law by Governor Corbett on February 14, 2012. The municipalities are: Township of Robinson, Washington County; Township of Nockamixon, Bucks County; Township of South Fayette, Allegheny County; Peters Township, Washington County; Township of Cecil, Washington County; Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County; and the Borough of Yardley, Bucks County. Act 13 amends the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act, preempting municipal zoning of oil and gas development. It also establishes an impact fee on natural gas. The named Appellants are the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”); Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania; and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”).
The Petitioners argued that Act 13 is an unconstitutional violation of: 1) Article I, Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 2) Section 1 of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution; 3) Article III, Section 32 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 4) Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 5) Article III, Section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 6) Due Process Principles; and 7) The Doctrine of Separation of Powers. The legal challenge was considered essentially important for the Appellees because Act 13 guts local zoning of gas and oil operations and endangers public health, natural resources, communities and the environment.
On July 26, the Commonwealth Court declared the statewide zoning provisions in Act 13 unconstitutional, null, void and unenforceable. The Court also struck down the provision of the law that required DEP to grant waivers to the setback requirements in Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Act.
Entities Challenging Act 13
Original Petitioners in Legal Challenge
Township of Robinson, Washington County
Township of Nockamixon, Bucks County
Township of South Fayette, Allegheny County
Peters Township, Washington County
Township of Cecil, Washington County
Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County
Borough of Yardley, Bucks County
Delaware Riverkeeper Network and the Delaware Riverkeeper
Dr. Mehernosh Khan
Municipalities represented by Natural Resources Defense Council as Friends of the Court
Wilkins Township, Allegheny County
East Finley Township, Washington County
Tinicum Township, Bucks County
Municipality of Murrysville, Westmoreland County
Municipality of Monroeville, Allegheny County
Borough of Bell Acres, Allegheny County
City of Bethlehem, Northampton and Lehigh Counties
Other Amicus Briefs filed in support of Commonwealth Court decision
Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association
Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Pittsburgh City Council
Mountain Watershed Association
Nonprofit organizations represented by Earthjustice as Friends of the Court
Berks Gas Truth
Brockway Area Clean Water Alliance
Clean Air Council
Clean Water Action
Damascus Citizens for Sustainability
Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund
Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition of Luzerne County PA
Group Against Smog and Pollution
Pennsylvania Division of the Izaak Walton League
League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley Gas Truth, Local Authority Western PA
Marcellus Outreach Butler
Marcellus Protest
PennEnvironment
Responsible Drilling Alliance
Sierra Club
Thomas Merton Center
Westmoreland Marcellus Citizen’s Group
Local Government Units that adopted resolutions of letters of support for legal challenge and/or in support of Commonwealth Court decision
Allegheny County
Allegheny County Council
Baldwin Borough
Ben Avon Borough
Emsworth Borough
Findlay Township
Forest Hills Borough
Greentree Borough
Homestead Borough
Jefferson Hills Borough
Mount Lebanon Borough
Monroeville
Moon Township
City of Pittsburgh
Scott Township
West Deer Township
West Homestead
Whitehall Borough
Wilkins Township
Wilkinsburg Borough
Allegheny County Council
Beaver County
Hanover Township
South Heights Borough
Berks County
Alsace Township
Greenwich Township
Kutztown Borough
Lower Alsace Township
Maidencreek Township
Mount Penn Borough
City of Reading
West Reading Borough
Bucks County
Bridgeton Township
Chalfont Borough
Doylestown Borough
Doylestown Township
Falls Township
Morrisville Borough
Northampton Township
Penndel Borough
Riegelsville Borough
Tinicum Township
Tullytown Borough
Butler County
Buffalo Township
Butler Township
Harmony Borough
Middlesex Township
Chester County
City of Coatesville
Newlin Township
Delaware County
Radnor Township
Yeadon Borough
Fayette County
City of Connellsville
Fayette County Council
Greene County
Gray Township
Lackawanna County
Lackawanna Association of Boroughs
Luzerne County
Black Creek Township
Dallas Township
Hazle Township
Luzerne County Council
Sugarloaf Township
Mercer County
Springfield Township
Montgomery County
East Greenville Borough
Upper Moreland Township
Northampton County
City of Bethlehem
Philadelphia County
City of Philadelphia
Washington County
East Finley Township
Mount Pleasant Township
North Strabane Township
South Strabane Township
Westmoreland County
Ligonier Township
Murrysville
Upper Burrell Township
Westmoreland County Commissioners
Oct 17
(full text below)
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Brian Coppola, Robinson Township Board of Supervisors, Washington County
Deron Gabriel, President, South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners, Allegheny County
dgabriel@gabriellaw.net and 412-261-6124
Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, 215-369-1188 x 102
Steve Hvozdovich, Marcellus Shale Policy Associate with Clean Water Action, 412-765-3053 x210 Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, 215-369-1188 x 104
Counsel for original plaintiffs: John M. Smith, 724-745-5121; Jonathan M. Kamin, 412-281-1119;
Jordan B. Yeager, 267-898-0570; William A. Johnson, 724-225-3955;
Susan Kraham of the Environmental Law Clinic, Columbia University School of Law
Daniel Raichel, Attorney for municipal Amici, Natural Resources Defense Council, 212-727-4455
Deborah Goldberg, Attorney for nonprofit organization Amici, Earthjustice, 212-845-7377
Municipalities, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, 32 Amici go to
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Defend Commonwealth Court Decision
that Act 13 is Unconstitutional
Wave of Dissent Sweeps into Highest Court to Protect Municipal Rights from Gas Industry Takeover
Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard argument today that Pennsylvania’s Act 13 is unconstitutional, unjustly supersedes all local ordinances related to oil and gas operations, extinguishes municipal zoning of these operations, and exposes the public and the environment to pollution and degradation from these activities. Attorneys for the case appeared before the Court, which heard the Commonwealth’s appeal of the Commonwealth Court’s declaration that overturned the municipal preemption provisions and environmental waiver provisions of Act 13.
“We believe Act 13 clearly violates the Pennsylvania constitution and makes it impossible to carry out the responsibilities of elected office,” said Brian Coppola, Supervisor, Robinson Township, and one of the original petitioners in the legal challenge to Act 13.
“Ample legal precedent (i.e., the Huntley case) and stakeholder support (i.e., amicus briefs filed by PSATS, PSAB, PA Planners, etc.) exists to ensure that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will properly uphold the bipartisan decision rendered by the learned Commonwealth Court in late July,” said
Deron Gabriel, President, South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners.
“As the Commonwealth Court recognized, the legislature and Governor completely overreached in enacting Act 13. Act 13 deprives citizens of their democratic rights to local government, violates property rights protected by locally enacted zoning ordinances, and jeopardizes public health. We are confident that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will agree and uphold the Commonwealth Court’s well-reasoned decision,” said Jordan Yeager, Esq., attorney for the Petitioners challenging Act 13.
Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, said, “The gas industry interests thought they could just march all over everything and everybody that was in their way, but together we fought them back and now have our day before the Supreme Court, where we have every expectation of fairness and justice. Pennsylvania is undergoing the largest drilling campaign in its history, and municipalities need to be able to have a say over these dangerous and polluting activities within their borders.”
"Clean Water Action is proud to join 19 other organizations in filing an amicus in support of the lawsuit against Act 13. The zoning provision of Act 13 is nothing more than an attack on municipalities who attempted to protect their residents and community by exercising their longstanding power. By caving to the demands of special interests, our governor and legislature have enacted a dangerous policy that threatens the safety and security of our homes and schools by allow drilling to occur in all areas, including residential. Clean Water Action hopes the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will uphold the Commonwealth Court’s ruling and restore zoning power regarding natural gas operations to local governments,” said Steve Hvozdovich, Marcellus Shale Policy Associate with Clean Water Action.
“The Pittsburgh City Council stands in support of the municipalities fighting to defend their local zoning rights,” said Pittsburgh City Councilman William Peduto. “The ability to create zoning rules to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents is one of the most important roles of a city and its elected representatives and it is critical that we safeguard it.”
Background:
Seven municipalities, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and Dr. Mehernosh Khan filed a legal pleading in Commonwealth Court on March 29, 2012 challenging Act 13, also known as HB1950, which was signed into law by Governor Corbett on February 14, 2012. The municipalities are: Township of Robinson, Washington County; Township of Nockamixon, Bucks County; Township of South Fayette, Allegheny County; Peters Township, Washington County; Township of Cecil, Washington County; Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County; and the Borough of Yardley, Bucks County. Act 13 amends the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act, preempting municipal zoning of oil and gas development. It also establishes an impact fee on natural gas. The named Appellants are the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”); Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania; and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”).
The Petitioners argued that Act 13 is an unconstitutional violation of: 1) Article I, Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 2) Section 1 of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution; 3) Article III, Section 32 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 4) Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 5) Article III, Section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution; 6) Due Process Principles; and 7) The Doctrine of Separation of Powers. The legal challenge was considered essentially important for the Appellees because Act 13 guts local zoning of gas and oil operations and endangers public health, natural resources, communities and the environment.
On July 26, the Commonwealth Court declared the statewide zoning provisions in Act 13 unconstitutional, null, void and unenforceable. The Court also struck down the provision of the law that required DEP to grant waivers to the setback requirements in Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Act.
Entities Challenging Act 13
Original Petitioners in Legal Challenge
Township of Robinson, Washington County
Township of Nockamixon, Bucks County
Township of South Fayette, Allegheny County
Peters Township, Washington County
Township of Cecil, Washington County
Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County
Borough of Yardley, Bucks County
Delaware Riverkeeper Network and the Delaware Riverkeeper
Dr. Mehernosh Khan
Municipalities represented by Natural Resources Defense Council as Friends of the Court
Wilkins Township, Allegheny County
East Finley Township, Washington County
Tinicum Township, Bucks County
Municipality of Murrysville, Westmoreland County
Municipality of Monroeville, Allegheny County
Borough of Bell Acres, Allegheny County
City of Bethlehem, Northampton and Lehigh Counties
Other Amicus Briefs filed in support of Commonwealth Court decision
Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association
Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Pittsburgh City Council
Mountain Watershed Association
Nonprofit organizations represented by Earthjustice as Friends of the Court
Berks Gas Truth
Brockway Area Clean Water Alliance
Clean Air Council
Clean Water Action
Damascus Citizens for Sustainability
Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund
Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition of Luzerne County PA
Group Against Smog and Pollution
Pennsylvania Division of the Izaak Walton League
League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley Gas Truth, Local Authority Western PA
Marcellus Outreach Butler
Marcellus Protest
PennEnvironment
Responsible Drilling Alliance
Sierra Club
Thomas Merton Center
Westmoreland Marcellus Citizen’s Group
Local Government Units that adopted resolutions of letters of support for legal challenge and/or in support of Commonwealth Court decision
Allegheny County
Allegheny County Council
Baldwin Borough
Ben Avon Borough
Emsworth Borough
Findlay Township
Forest Hills Borough
Greentree Borough
Homestead Borough
Jefferson Hills Borough
Mount Lebanon Borough
Monroeville
Moon Township
City of Pittsburgh
Scott Township
West Deer Township
West Homestead
Whitehall Borough
Wilkins Township
Wilkinsburg Borough
Allegheny County Council
Beaver County
Hanover Township
South Heights Borough
Berks County
Alsace Township
Greenwich Township
Kutztown Borough
Lower Alsace Township
Maidencreek Township
Mount Penn Borough
City of Reading
West Reading Borough
Bucks County
Bridgeton Township
Chalfont Borough
Doylestown Borough
Doylestown Township
Falls Township
Morrisville Borough
Northampton Township
Penndel Borough
Riegelsville Borough
Tinicum Township
Tullytown Borough
Butler County
Buffalo Township
Butler Township
Harmony Borough
Middlesex Township
Chester County
City of Coatesville
Newlin Township
Delaware County
Radnor Township
Yeadon Borough
Fayette County
City of Connellsville
Fayette County Council
Greene County
Gray Township
Lackawanna County
Lackawanna Association of Boroughs
Luzerne County
Black Creek Township
Dallas Township
Hazle Township
Luzerne County Council
Sugarloaf Township
Mercer County
Springfield Township
Montgomery County
East Greenville Borough
Upper Moreland Township
Northampton County
City of Bethlehem
Philadelphia County
City of Philadelphia
Washington County
East Finley Township
Mount Pleasant Township
North Strabane Township
South Strabane Township
Westmoreland County
Ligonier Township
Murrysville
Upper Burrell Township
Westmoreland County Commissioners
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