Townships Could Lose Say Over Gas Drilling
Organization of Pa. townships calls bill "an attack on local land-use issues"
The Pa. State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) and five other local government organizations are urging lawmakers to reconsider language in House Bill 1950 that would strip local governments of all decision-making power over oil and gas operations in their communities, including where these operations could be located.
The groups on Monday issued a joint memo to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and proposed revisions intended to meet the Legislature’s goal of establishing uniform regulations while maintaining a reasonable level of decision-making ability at the local level.
PSATS Executive Director David M. Sanko called language in the bill "an attack on local land-use decisions."
"It’s so far-reaching that it would prohibit virtually any local regulation of the natural gas drilling industry and possibly void existing ordinances, resolutions and even contracts — all of which were implemented with the health, safety and welfare of residents in mind," he said.
The groups say that the unintended consequences of such strong language, which they call “both unprecedented and unwarranted,” could affect emergency management planning, the training of emergency responders and the validity of highway maintenance agreements between municipalities and drilling companies.
The local government groups advocate a two-part approach to amending the language: providing for pre-emption of local authority comparable to that in existing statutory and case law and establishing a common set of local zoning standards.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors represents Pennsylvania’s 1,455 townships.
PSATS joined with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities, the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners in detailing how the existing proposal would affect local governments and local communities. The memo can be read at http://goo.gl/tySti.
optimist
10:16 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
This is why people should not vote for Corbett.
An interested bystander
10:34 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Yet Corbett is against pooling rights for gas drilling, protecting the property rights of owners who did not want to drill.
Sorry Optimist but this doesn't fit into a nice neat partisan box.
matt
1:37 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
unfortunately there are no property rights in this country. ask those people in allentown that are getting bulldozed for a hockey arena. disgraceful.
voice of reason
2:39 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Matt... (comment below) what is disgraceful is what these property owners have done to to the city by having horrible businesses and clients frequent their drug front businesses.... sadly the bulldozing is never going to go far enough to save the inner city
An interested bystander
2:35 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Unfortunately you raise a good point. A conservative Supreme Court on the Kelo v. City of New London on eminent domain was tragic, and both Republican and Democratic administrations has abused it since.
SWT Resident
11:25 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Actually....if you look at how much taxpayer money was used to compensate those that owned hockey arena affected properties in Allentown...by far not a single one of them should cry. Most made a fortune on a pittly investment. Some had returns as high as 300% in just 5 years. Just goes to show you money talks. Those that did cry cried over the inconvenience more than anything. Putting the compensation to the side...I do agree that the manner in which ED was applied in Allentown was way off what was meant by ED to begin with. How will this arena better my life when I won't go near Allentown without my Glock? I paid for the RT 222 bypass with my tax money and one or two cases of ED for those that would not move. Again...they were handsomely compensated AND the reason for using ED was well worth the time saved vs. sitting in traffic on Hamilton Blvd. Proper use of ED. Improper use of ED: Allentown's new Hockey arena. It will end up being a bust in the end.
An interested bystander
2:42 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Allan you hit the nail right on the head. Nothing matters in Allentown until it's safe again.
Density doesn't matter, rail to NYC doesn't matter, all the tax breaks in the world don't matter unless the family from Emmaus or Whitehall or Catty feels as safe there as they do in downtown Bethlehem.
voice of reason
9:59 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
South Whitehall is getting as dangerous as Allentown, home invasion robberies, unsolved murders on applewood, car break ins by the dozen. As fas as downtown bethlehem, Ok, but travel to the south side and walk around all high and mighty and see how safe you feel, I feel safer on the south side of Allentown than i do in South Bethlehem.