Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water

ORGANIZATIONS DECRY LACK OF CONCERN FOR COMMUNITIES, HEALTH, AND PROPERTY

This past Tuesday in the Senate and Wednesday in the House, the Pennsylvania legislature voted in favor of HB1950, a compromise gas development bill that was hammered out behind closed doors under the heavy hand of Governor Tom Corbett. Under the guise of providing “impact fees” to municipalities where gas operations occur, the legislature effectively supported a takeover of municipalities by the State and the gas industry by gutting established and effective local planning and zoning rights.

(Harrisburg) – On Tuesday, January 17, as legislators returned to Harrisburg for the first session day of 2012, hundreds of Pennsylvania residents and local officials called on state leaders to oppose the omnibus gas drilling bills, HB 1950 and SB 1100, which cleared the State House and Senate in late 2011.

32 Campaign for Clean Water member organizations signed on to a letter defending the Clean Water Act opposing the Barrasso/Heller Amendments to H.R. 2354.

The letter below was sent to Senator Toomey and Senator Casey on November 16, 2011.

Yesterday, local officials from twelve counties across the state submitted a letter the the Pennsylvania legislature urging them to protect their local zoning rights. HB1950 and SB1100 include legislative proposals restricting local authority concerning Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Both bills are expected to be voted on this week.

See the press coverage below:

Download a copy of the letter

November 14, 2011

Dear members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

As elected officials representing constituents across the Commonwealth, we are writing with concerns regarding Marcellus Shale natural gas development. Municipalities all across Pennsylvania are working to enact or have enacted measures designed to protect the environment and health, safety, and welfare of their communities and residents.

Joint letter signed by local officials across the state concerning Marcellus gas drilling

WHAT: Press conference held by conference call to announce the release of a letter jointly signed by dozens of municipal and county officials urging the state legislature to preserve existing rights to enact local zoning ordinances concerning Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations.

WHEN: Monday, November 14, 10:00 am

WHERE: Press conference will be held by conference call.

Call in number: 800-509-6344 Code: 5541100#

…

Decry the secrecy and industry giveaways – Call for real action to protect residents

(Harrisburg) – A number of environmental and community organizations gathered outside Governor Corbett’s office in the state capitol today to respond to the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. Groups universally criticized the Commission’s final report, issued last Friday, as a product of its industry make-up and decried the secrecy employed to generate the final product.

The Commission recognized the need for regulatory improvements, but in effect gave barely a nod to the serious and accelerating health and environmental problems…

Comparisons between Gov. Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission (MSAC) and the PA Campaign for Clean Water (CCW)

Download the full report

View the full report

Recap: Pennsylvania’s largest lobby day seen to date on Marcellus Shale

Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water members and activists went to Harrisburg on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 for a lobby day and rally to protest Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

Over 150 meetings were held with lawmakers to discuss issues with Marcellus Shale drilling, including meetings with 45 of the 50 Pennsylvania state senators. The focus was on protecting public health and drinking water supplies.