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.

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:

Letter calls for rejection of any reduction in rights to pass local ordinances on gas drilling

Download the letter here

(Harrisburg) – Municipal officials from a dozen different counties across Pennsylvania jointly wrote to the PA General Assembly today calling for a rejection of legislative proposals to reduce or eliminate municipal governments’ rights to enact local zoning ordinances concerning Marcellus Shale gas drilling.

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#

Environmental Groups Cite Problems with Scarnati Marcellus Bill

Letter to Senators Highlights Attack on Local Control and Poor Drinking Water Setbacks

Oct. 31, 2011
(Harrisburg) – Five environmental organizations representing well over 100,000 Pennsylvanians wrote to State Senators Friday highlighting several problems with Senator Scarnati’s proposed Marcellus Shale legislation, SB 1100.

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

On July 12, the Campaign for Clean Water submitted a letter to Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley with recommendations to Governor Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Commission. Over twenty organizations signed on to the letter of recommendations.

Below is a preview of the letter.
Download the full version here.

Dear Mr. Cawley:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations and the communities we represent, we would like to take this opportunity to provide information and recommendations related to the work of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. As the Commission prepares to issue its final report and recommendations, there are particular concerns that we believe must be included and given priority…