The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday struck down provisions of the state’s Oil and Gas Act that stripped municipalities of the power to determine where natural gas drilling activity could occur within their boundaries.
The long-awaited decision is a blow to a 2012 law promoted by Gov. Corbett and the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry as a means to create a uniform statewide standard for gas development.
By a 4-2 vote, the court ruled that taking away the right of localities to limit fracking is unconstitutional.
“With this ruling, municipal governments will once again have the ability to determine when and where fracking occurs in their locality,” said a local environmental group. “This is crucial for protecting public health, our environment and our communities.”
(READ the story in Phily.com)