Pittsburgh Bans Gas Drilling
Source: Associated Press (11/16/10)
"Pittsburgh is first PA city to completely ban natural gas drilling."
Pittsburgh has become the first city in Pennsylvania to approve a total ban on natural gas drilling.
Drilling operations in recent years have been booming in the state's gas-rich Marcellus Shale. There are none in Pittsburgh, however.
Still the Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved the ban within city limits. City Councilman Doug Shields said drilling companies were putting jobs and making money before people's health. He called approving the ban an important statement that other communities will be looking to duplicate.
Attorneys representing gas companies have said they may sue to challenge the ban because they say drilling is rightly regulated by state and federal environmental protection agencies.
Drilling operations in recent years have been booming in the state's gas-rich Marcellus Shale. There are none in Pittsburgh, however.
Still the Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved the ban within city limits. City Councilman Doug Shields said drilling companies were putting jobs and making money before people's health. He called approving the ban an important statement that other communities will be looking to duplicate.
Attorneys representing gas companies have said they may sue to challenge the ban because they say drilling is rightly regulated by state and federal environmental protection agencies.