Here in Pennsylvania, Governor Corbett not only embraced the gas industry, he kissed their feet. Act 13 of 2012 pre-empted almost all local regulation of oil and gas operations – or tried. That portion of the law was struck down as unconstitutional by a lower court, but Corbett appealed even as, according to the Associated Press, Pennsylvania Democrats called it out as “corporate eminent domain.” Corbett has lost his appeal! The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed with the lower court and upheld the right of Pennsylvania municipalities to protect residents and plan their communities.
Municipalities where drilling and fracking are already a reality in Pennsylvania were unprepared and blindsided. Roads were not designed or constructed to handle the massive truck traffic. Roads are being decimated and local traffic horror stories are rampant. Trailer and camper cities for workers appeared almost overnight without adequate septic facilities. Noise from compressor stations and processing plants were allowed in residential areas. Protection of local residents from these kinds of dangers has historically, traditionally and LEGALLY been the purview of municipal governments.
Attempting to plan for adequate protection of property owners in the face of this onslaught has been almost impossible as the legal battle has played out. Finally, we have some clarity. We have our rights as local citizens back. We have regained an opportunity to protect ourselves, our air quality, our water quality and our right to enjoy our property as we see fit.
Interestingly, this decision hit the papers on the same day that the Huffington Post describes an article in the journal Endocrinology proving fracking fluid contamination in the Colorado River contains carcinogens.
Corbett should be gone soon. Now, if we could only find a solution to our sorry, gerrymandered districts and get bigots like Lou (screw all Hispanics) Barletta of Hazleton, now a Congressman, out of office.
Come on PA - we can do better!