Corbett reasserts position on drilling consistency

On February 2, 2012 — No comments

Gov. Tom Corbett is reinforcing his position that local rules for natural-gas drillers need to be more uniform across the state, and now is speaking favorably of the proposal to do so that passed the House and Senate late last year.

With lawmakers aiming to vote on a compromise Marcellus bill as soon as next week, the governor penned a letter to all 253 members, calling it “paramount” that the measure address variations in local zoning ordinances.

He stated that 145 oil and gas ordinances have been adopted in 115 Pennsylvania towns, and he argues that the most restrictive of those — a reference to complete bans, like Pittsburgh’s — are “depriving citizens of jobs, income and enjoyment of their own property rights.”

While his administration had circulated language that called for state rules to supersede all local ordinances, he describes the softer approach, like the one in the pending Marcellus bills, as a generally acceptable solution to the issue.

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