DEP: Gas-Well Siting Should Be Under Control
The state Department of Environmental Protection agrees with officials in Oakmont and Salem Township who believe they should be able to control where gas wells are drilled within their communities.
The agency filed a brief with the state Supreme Court that says the state’s Oil and Gas Act gives DEP sole authority to control how gas wells are drilled, but leaves the matter of where the wells should be drilled up to local governments.
The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Sept. 9 in the two cases in which Commonwealth Court agreed with gas exploration companies who believe state law preempts local zoning ordinances.
Originally published by The Tribune-Review.
(c) 2008 Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.