City OKs Ban on Gas Drilling
Council cites environmental, health concerns
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
17 November 2010
By Joe Smydo
After Pittsburgh City Council gave final approval Tuesday to a ban on
natural-gas production in the city, industry opponents vowed to press
for similar prohibitions at the Allegheny County and state levels.
Council cited health and environmental concerns in passing the ban,
which the industry has dismissed as illegal and supporters portrayed as
part of a populist tide against Marcellus Shale gas production.
"We're going to be slowly poisoned if we don't rise up against this
undemocratic, unconstitutional" industry, said Lincoln Place resident
Loretta Weir, who is active in the group Marcellus Shale Protest.
The group is concerned about well, river and air pollution. Clipboard
in hand, Lincoln Place resident Jeanne McMullen said she and other
group members are circulating petitions to ban gas production in the
county and statewide.
Councilman Doug Shields sponsored Pittsburgh's ordinance, saying shale
gas production portended a return to the city's polluted industrial
past.
On Monday night, South Fayette commissioners voted to exclude gas
drilling from residential neighborhoods, farms and parks. Pittsburgh's
ordinance goes farther. Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund
called it a "first-in-the-nation" ordinance that asserts the primacy of
community interests over gas company rights.
The Franklin County group worked with Mr. Shields to write the law. A
few years ago, the group helped Blaine, Washington County, enact a ban
against mining -- an effort ultimately struck down by a federal court.
If it sues over Pittsburgh's ordinance, the gas industry could argue
that the ban conflicts with the state's authority to regulate gas
production.
If the industry wants to sue, Mr. Shields said, so be it. However, he
warned that a protracted legal fight might have political and economic
repercussions for what he called an under-taxed, under-regulated
industry.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office declined to comment, but spokeswoman
Joanna Doven previously said the mayor opposed a ban because of the
industry's economic benefits. Mr. Ravenstahl has 10 days to decide on a
veto, but council's support appeared veto-proof.
In a statement, the Marcellus Shale Coalition called the vote
"expected, yet disappointing."
The ban exacerbates "the city's weak financial standing, and at the
same time is a straightforward attack on individual property rights,"
coalition president and executive director Kathryn Klaber said. "At a
time when the natural gas industry is generating jobs and prosperity
for tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians and economic development across
the commonwealth, it's unfortunate that the council continues to
maintain a shortsighted view regarding responsible shale gas
development and its overwhelmingly positive economic, environmental and
energy security benefits."
Though leasing agents had been locking up blocks of land in eastern
neighborhoods, the coalition previously said council's action was
premature because its members had no immediate plans to drill in the
city.
No council member offered words of support for the industry Tuesday.
Council President Darlene Harris scoffed at the industry's assertions
about job creation.
"There's going to be a lot of jobs for funeral homes and hospitals,"
Mrs. Harris said, referring to health concerns associated with gas
production. "That's where the jobs are. Is it worth it?"
Freelance writer Andrea Iglar contributed. Joe Smydo:
jsmydo@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1548.