Video by Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition, Luzerne County, Pa. HARRISBURG – A local resident referred to Dallas Township’s experience with Marcellus industry facilities Tuesday as a key reason to oppose impact fee legislation that would make the state attorney general referee in disputes over gas zoning ordinances. “Taking local zoning controls from municipalities is not good for the citizens of Pennsylvania,” said Diane Dreier. Dreier spoke at a Capitol rally where a coalition of groups called for defeat of impact fee legislation approved by both the Senate and House. Members of the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition attended the rally held as lawmakers returned to session from a holiday recess. The groups’ critique focused on provisions in both bills that they say provide for state preemption of local decision-making about drilling activities. Both measures include provisions where a driller could ask the attorney general to determine whether a gas ordinance is reasonable or not. If a municipality persists in keeping an ordinance rejected by the attorney general, it would lose out on any impact fee revenue. Faced with plans in recent years by gas companies to build compressor stations and other infrastructure within proximity to the Dallas school district campus, the township supervisors recently amended the zoning ordinance to balance the need for gas development with the rights of local residents and protection of property values, Dreier said. This amendment allowed the township to put safety conditions on the siting of gas …
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