Western Pa. Group Forms to Oppose Zoning Preemption

Local groups worried about the environmental impact of gas drilling have formed by the dozens across the state. Now there’s a group that will focus specifically on the proposed zoning preemption language in the impact fee bill. That proposal would restrict local municipalities from making their own zoning decisions when it comes to gas drilling. Wanda Guthrie, from Murraysville, Westmoreland County, is a member of the newly formed Local Authority Western PA.
“We used to have a drilling problem,” says Guthrie, “now we have a democracy problem.”
Guthrie says the group plans to meet tonight to plan their next move. It’s unclear at this point if the impact fee has enough votes to pass, and if the preemption language will continue to be opposed by nine Republican state Senators who last week pledged not to support it.
Local Authority Western PA sent out a press release announcing their formation today.

“We elect local officials to maintain and plan for the welfare of our communities!” states Ron Slabe, member of the newly formed coalition, Local Authority Western PA (LAWPA).  Citing the threat to all municipalities of  House Bill 1950, the group is heralding a warning to both citizens and legislators. LAWPA and the citizens it represents find their lives negatively impacted by a gas industry unleashed to do anything it wants, where ever it wants, with few restrictions.

The group has a new website — www.pajustpowers.org.
 

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