Newton residents push for drilling ban
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:32 pmSource
The Scranton Times Tribune
By Laura Legere (Staff Writer)
Published: March 26, 2011
Newton Twp. residents concerned about natural gas drilling plan to push town leaders to prohibit the activity before it starts.
A local organization called Community Counts will host a meeting to discuss its concerns on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Newton Recreation Center. It will feature a representative of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit that helped draft a community-rights ordinance adopted in Pittsburgh that bans gas drilling in the city.
The defense fund helped Community Counts draft an ordinance for Newton Twp. that would prohibit any gas-related activities in the municipality. The group plans to officially introduce it to township supervisors at their April meeting.
"The people of the community should decide what takes place in their community, not a few large landowners and corporations," said Linda Nealon, a Newton resident who is organizing the meeting. "This meeting is to try to get people to see that there is an option."
Similar ordinances are being considered in dozens of Pennsylvania municipalities. Residents in Benton Twp. hosted a meeting to discuss such an ordinance in January. Harveys Lake Borough Council rejected the ordinance earlier this month and, despite a push by some residents, Lehman Twp. supervisors declined to consider the ordinance in October.
Municipal solicitors and industry officials have expressed doubt that the ordinances are legally enforceable.
No Marcellus Shale gas wells have been drilled in Newton, although about a third of the township's acreage has been leased for drilling.
Anticipating criticism from drilling supporters, Mrs. Nealon said the group "thoughtfully considered farmers" in drafting the ordinance and does not intend to "fight with anyone."
"Let's hear the voices of all the people," she said.
The meeting in Newton will also include a presentation by the Luzerne County-based Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition.
The Scranton Times Tribune
By Laura Legere (Staff Writer)
Published: March 26, 2011
Newton Twp. residents concerned about natural gas drilling plan to push town leaders to prohibit the activity before it starts.
A local organization called Community Counts will host a meeting to discuss its concerns on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Newton Recreation Center. It will feature a representative of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit that helped draft a community-rights ordinance adopted in Pittsburgh that bans gas drilling in the city.
The defense fund helped Community Counts draft an ordinance for Newton Twp. that would prohibit any gas-related activities in the municipality. The group plans to officially introduce it to township supervisors at their April meeting.
"The people of the community should decide what takes place in their community, not a few large landowners and corporations," said Linda Nealon, a Newton resident who is organizing the meeting. "This meeting is to try to get people to see that there is an option."
Similar ordinances are being considered in dozens of Pennsylvania municipalities. Residents in Benton Twp. hosted a meeting to discuss such an ordinance in January. Harveys Lake Borough Council rejected the ordinance earlier this month and, despite a push by some residents, Lehman Twp. supervisors declined to consider the ordinance in October.
Municipal solicitors and industry officials have expressed doubt that the ordinances are legally enforceable.
No Marcellus Shale gas wells have been drilled in Newton, although about a third of the township's acreage has been leased for drilling.
Anticipating criticism from drilling supporters, Mrs. Nealon said the group "thoughtfully considered farmers" in drafting the ordinance and does not intend to "fight with anyone."
"Let's hear the voices of all the people," she said.
The meeting in Newton will also include a presentation by the Luzerne County-based Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition.