Area Officials Voice Opposition to Marcellus Shale Legislation

Some were for Marcellus Shale gas drilling and others weren’t, but it was clear last night that none present supported a combined House and Senate bill that would allow drilling in all municipal zones.

Noting concern for the rights of citizens and an interest in retaining the power to make decisions about where Marcellus Shale drilling can take place, local lawmakers from 40 different western Pennsylvania municipalities showed up at a packed town hall meeting in Green Tree Tuesday with the hopes of halting progress on the bill. The legislation  combines House Bill 1950 and Senate Bill 1100. 

Both bills propose to amend Title 58, the state’s Oil and Gas Act.

The local lawmakers present, representing six or seven counties and more than 40 individual communities, oppose the bill. They say it would take away the rights of local government to establishing zoning that protects the property and character of its community.

Officials from Robinson Township, South Fayette Township, Murrysville, Cecil Township and several other areas presented their views. 

“One use for all as proposed by these two state laws is not the answer,” Peters Township Councilman David Ball said.

Currently, municipalities have the authority to decide where gas drilling can take place and exert some control over how it is done. The proposed bill would put into place statewide regulations that would take the place of those . 

The officials expressed concern over whether the bill would prevent them from being able to carry out .

“It’s the governed that runs the place, not the elected.” Ball said. “We are best positioned to understand where this position comes from and where it should be applied.”

A number of those present described the bill as unconstitutional and said it takes away the power of .

“We hope for people to awaken to what is really happening in local government,” said Michelle Bertini, a Butler County resident.

“There’s a potential to lose their power to govern local municipalities. Right now it can be for the oil and gas industry, but this could be a precedent.”

In terms of the bill, Robinson Township Manager Richard Ward described the time as being not midnight but close to it. 

While those present were urged to contact lawmakers in Harrisburg in the hopes of tabling the bill until it could be , the bill could pass as soon as Wednesday.

If it does, the matter could go to court, Ward said.

He hopes opposition to the bill gains support not only in western Pennsylvania, but across the state.