As Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to work on legislation that would set new drilling rules and charge an impact fee, local governments need to be aware of what laws are proposed and how it impacts their communities – whether currently in a drilling affected area or not.
Using the carrot and stick approach, legislators have proposed giving affected municipalities a healthy slice of the impact-fee pie. But the slice of nice comes with a price.
Local governments, not just those affected by lucrative drilling operations, all across the Commonwealth, would give up their local, land-use powers to set up rules affecting the gas industry and the quality of life in the community.
Senate Bill 1100 calls for the state to develop a model shale-drilling code and impose it on local governments in exchange for collecting impact fees. House Bill 1950 similarly restricts local municipalities from doing anything to a land use plan if it falls under the definition of oil and gas or environmental law.
While this latest episode in the state’s effort to usurp local land-use laws is being considered, Senate Bill 898 (SB 898) lurks in the background, waiting to spring to the Senate floor for a vote when the public isn’t looking.
SB 898 would severely limit local government input on quarry construction. Something our neighbors in New Hanover and Lower Milford are very interested in.
Take the time to contact your state legislator and let them know how you feel about limiting local government input to these issues.
24th Senate District
Sen. Bob Mensch
District Office
202 Main St. Suite A
Pennsburg, Pa. 18073
Tel: 215-541-2388
Fax: 215-541-2387
147th District
Hon. Marcy Toepel
District Office
80 Gravel Pike, Unit A
Red Hill, Pa. 18076
Tel: 215-679-3082
Fax: 215-679-3156
70th District
Hon. Matthew D. Bradford
District Office
2000 Bustard Road, Suite 6
Cedars, Pa. 19423
Tel: 710-222-3490
Fax: 610-222-3494
130th District
Hon. David Maloney, Sr.
District Office
46 East Phila. Ave.
Boyertown, Pa. 19512
Tel: 610-369-3010
Fax: 610-369-3011
53rd District
Hon. Robert W. Godshall
District Office
1702 Cowpath Road
Hatfield, Pa. 19440
Tel: 215-368-3500
Fax: 215-361-4220
146th District
Hon.Tomas J. Quiqley
District Office
1963 East High St., Suite 100
Pottstown, Pa. 19464
Tel: 610-326-9563
Fax: 610-718-5787
131th District
Hon. Justin Simmons
District Office
3606 Rte 378, Suite A
Bethlehem, Pa. 18015
Tel: 610-966-3223
Fax: 610-861-2069
134th District
Hon. Douglas G. Reichley
District Office
1245 Chestnut St., Unit #5
Emmaus, Pa. 18049
Tel: 610-965-9933
Fax: 610-965-9174
145th District
Hon. Paul I. Clymer
District Office
311 North 7th St.
Perkasie, Pa. 18944
Tel: 215-257-0279
Fax: 215-257-6350