Corbett Administration Files Act 13 Appeal With State Supreme Court
-
Scott Detrow

Scott Detrow / StateImpact Pennsylvania
Governor Corbett speaks at a Hershey conference in May
The Corbett Administration has filed an appeal to Commonwealth Courtâs ruling striking down legislation restricting local governmentsâ ability to zone and regulate natural gas drilling.
The next step: the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will decide whether or not it wants to consider the appeal.
Hereâs Corbettâs statement, released this afternoon via email:
âThe provisions struck down by the Commonwealth Court are critically important for job creators who are employing more than 240,000 Pennsylvanians, for landowners seeking to exercise their property rights, and for local governments looking for guidance on how they may reasonably regulate oil and gas operations,â Corbett said. âThe provisions are also integral to the enhanced environmental standards and impact fee revenue portions of the Act. Indeed, there would be no Act without each of these crucial pieces.ââIt is important to note that the provisions casually set aside by the court were the result of months of compromise and negotiation, with significant input and support from Pennsylvaniaâs local government associations,â Corbett said. âBoth the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, which represents 1,455 municipalities, urged passage of the law. This decision endangers the jobs of tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians and deprives citizens of their property rights.âIt is the General Assembly and Governorâs prerogative to establish policy; it is the courtâs job to pass judgment on the constitutionality of this policy, not its merits. Act 13 clearly meets the constitutionality test, and I am confident the Supreme Court will adhere to its responsibility in a prompt and timely manner.â