Marcellus Shale News Wire
A Collection of Marcellus Shale and Gas Drilling Articles from Pennsylvania and Beyond
PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center
Post Gazette
Breaking: State Judges Throw Out Act 13 Zoning Provisions
By Laura Olsons
July 26, 2012
Act 13, passed in February, aimed to established statewide zoning for Marcellus Shale drilling by dictating what municipalities can and cannot include in their zoning standards for gas drilling. A Commonwealth court declared the zoning revisions null and void.
State Impact
Commonwealth Court Rules Act 13’s Zoning Restrictions are Unconstitutional
By Scott Detrow
July 26, 2012
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/07/26/commonwealth-court-rules-on-act-13/
Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court has throw out restrictions on local governments’ ability to zone and regulate natural gas drilling. The limits on local zoning violate municipalities’ substantive due process, according to the ruling.
State Impact
When It Comes To Energy, Corbett Is Willing To Spend Big
By Scott Detrow
July 20, 2012
Gov. Corbett signed into law a 2011 budget that cut more than $1 billion in state spending, reducing funding for nearly every state department. However, Corbett administration grants tax breaks and grants directed to energy companies.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
State to Study Air Quality at Shale Sites
By Laura Olson
July 23, 2012
State environmental regulators announced on Monday that they are beginning a one-year study of air quality near several Marcellus Shale sites in Washington County.
Observer-Reporter
Municipalities Voice Support for Act 13 Suit
By Brad Hundt
July 24, 2012
http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/Act-13-update
As officials in Cecil, Peters, Mt. Pleasant and Robinson townships await a decision from Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court on a suit filed in April challenging the constitutionality of Act 13, some of their compatriots around the state are joining them in the nail biting.
Bloomberg
Drought Helps Fracking Foes Build Momentum Around Recycling
By Kasia Klimasinska and Jim Efstathiou Jr.
July 23, 2012
The worst U.S. drought in a half century is putting pressure on natural-gas drillers to conserve the millions of gallons of water used in hydraulic fracturing to free trapped gas and oil from underground rock.
Courier Express
EPA Takes Action Injection Well in Troutville
By Katie Weidenboerner
July 21, 2012
Enforcement action has been taken on a local underground injection well and another potential well is still going through the Environmental Protection Agency’s permitting process.
