Court throws out state zoning for Marcellus Shale drilling

[grntuscarora]

By Laura Olson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

HARRISBURG -- A Commonwealth court panel this morning threw out Pennsylvania's attempt to establish statewide zoning for Marcellus Shale drilling.

The court ruled that the state cannot take away zoning control away from local municipalities as it tried to do when the Legislature passed Act 13 in February.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/court-throws-out-state-zoning-for-marcellus-shale-drilling-646340/#ixzz21k7TY08h


This is FANTASTIC!!!

[freshwest]

1. This is terrific... Now to convince those who are selling their mineral rights to quit doing so.

[ag_dude]

2. That made me laugh.

Then I realized you might not be joking.

[ag_dude]

4. I laughed

because of the idea that you could convince people to not sell their mineral rights.

[ag_dude]

8. I don't think it's hillarious.

I think your naiveté regarding the situation is.

I'm in the middle of the Eagle Ford boom and if you think you can convince poor farmers in bulk to turn down thousands an acre just for the right to drill (ignoring the potential windfall once the drilling starts) you have no business talking down to me. They live in the real world, not an internet forum where turning down the money out of principle is something you can just type and have it magically make sense.

One or two farmers here and there? Sure. I've seen plenty of little old ladies who were financially set, didn't want it on their place, and did it. Unfortunately the net effect is only that they go without the money while the fracking companies go next door and develop there.

Your entire idea depends entirely upon finding independently wealthy idealists. Unfortunately, they just don't live in rural areas in any sort of concentration large enough to put a stop to fracking. That doesn't even begin to address the issue of those who own mineral rights that don't actually live on the land. They kept those mineral rights for one reason and it aint out of the kindness of their hearts.

Between the insane amount of money being thrown around and politicians that can be bought by the bushel, the best hope to put an end to fracking is low crude and natural gas prices.

[femmocrat]

5. Great news! And a nice black eye for corbett! LOL

Now we need that judge to toss out voter ID, and it will be two-for-two! (fingers crossed!)

[JPZenger]

6. Still could be upheld by the State Supreme Court

I like this decision, but I think it could be overturned in the State Supreme Court. The legislature can change the laws regarding local municipalities whenever they want, as long as they don't violate the State Constitution (which doesn't address these matters).

This is a dress rehearsal for the Commonwealth Court's decision on Voter ID.

In both cases, the State Supreme Court will make the final decision. That court is currently tied Reps vs. Dems, with one member taking a leave of absence while she awaits criminal charges against her.

[blue neen]

10. Wow!

I'm stunned! Good for Commonwealth Court! We still have someone in this state who has common sense!

[Curmudgeoness]

11. This is welcome news.

That move to take local power away was a nightmare. Let's hope that this stands....because we know they will keep moving up the court chain of command.

[MrMickeysMom]

12. What do you predict the Supreme Court will say?

I was advised I was too hopeful...