Energy Environmental Blog

PA: Local Regulation of E&P Operations Allowed

Written by Greg Russell | Dec 22, 2013 11:57:32 AM

The WSJ is reporting on a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision that found certain provisions of Act 13 - which prohibit the local regulation of oil and gas operations - unconstitutional.  "The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday that municipalities can retain some control over drilling within their borders, handing a victory to local groups that brought a challenge in one of the nation's top gas-producing states. *** The seven municipalities that challenged a 2012 state law had argued that it violated their rights to control land and protect residents' property, and thus violated the state constitution. *** Now, local governments will be able to use zoning laws to restrict drilling in some areas."

For a copy of the decision itself, see here.