EDF Praises Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania Decision on Oil and Gas Drilling Law
(Harrisburg, PA – July 27, 2012) Yesterday, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania struck down provisions of the state’s recently passed drilling law, Act 13, that pre-empted the ability of local governments to apply traditional zoning authority to oil and gas operations.
“We commend the court for recognizing that local governments have a Constitutional responsibility to make sure oil and gas development is orderly and to ensure the rights of citizens to safe, healthy neighborhoods that aren’t steamrolled by unplanned growth. The Pennsylvania General Assembly clearly overstepped its bounds when it passed this law, and today the court got it right by saying so.”
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
Degrees Podcast Launches New Miniseries: “Connection as a Climate Solution”
October 2, 2025 -
Trump Administration's Partisan Energy Project Cancellations Will Raise Electricity Costs
October 2, 2025 -
EDF Experts Urge Trump EPA Not to Eliminate Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
October 1, 2025 -
Short-sighted Duke Energy Plan Recognizes Benefits of Solar and Battery Storage While Still Extending Outdated, Expensive Coal in North Carolina
October 1, 2025 -
Groups Challenge the Trump Administration’s Illegal Emergency Order for Eddystone Plant in Court
September 29, 2025 -
Trump Administration’s Subsidies for Costly Coal Saddle Families with High Bills, More Pollution
September 29, 2025