The Fight for Our Hometowns: Why Local Control Over Natural Gas Is Non-Negotiable

Imagine a scenario where decisions about the very air you breathe, the water you drink, and the safety of your property are dictated not by your local elected officials, but by distant state mandates. For communities across Pennsylvania, this isn't a hypothetical fear – it's a looming threat in the ongoing battle for local control over natural gas drilling.

Pennsylvania’s journey with natural gas is a complex one, deeply intertwined with the rise of the Marcellus Shale.

While offering economic promise, this industry also brought significant environmental and health challenges, impacting countless residents. Recognizing these localized impacts, communities historically possessed the power to enact their own zoning and environmental regulations, ensuring development aligned with local needs and values.

However, this fundamental right was challenged in 2012 with the passage of Act 13.

This controversial legislation attempted to strip municipalities of their authority, imposing a one-size-fits-all approach that largely favored industry. But the resilience of Pennsylvanians, coupled with the wisdom of the state's highest court, prevailed. In the landmark 2013 case, Robinson Township v.

Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court boldly struck down key provisions of Act 13, affirming that communities indeed have the constitutional right to regulate natural gas development within their borders. It was a victory for local democracy, re-empowering municipalities to protect their residents and unique environments.

Yet, the fight is far from over.

Today, new legislative proposals—House Bill 2707 and Senate Bill 1100—are attempting to resurrect the very preemption that was so decisively rejected. These bills seek to redefine .