The Fracking News – “We are the sacrifice”
The Fracking News Just in time for Thanksgiving, the PA legislature served up two real turkeys, passing HB1950 and SB1100. PennFuture has a concise description of both; they sum it up well here: The drillers wanted to get rid of the need to deal with local municipalities; they got it. The drillers wanted any fee or tax to … Continue reading
CHC Update: Save the Date- January 11, Indiana Courthouse
Greetings friends, Hope everyone had a great holiday! Wednesday, January 11, 7:30pm, County Courthouse – Conservation Zone Public Hearing The ordinance recommended to the county commissioners for the conservation zones does not adequately protect taxpayer assets from the risks of natural gas development. Mark your calendars and join CHC and concerned residents across the country and the … Continue reading
The Fracking News – The Sweetest Sweetheart Deal
The Fracking News The Indiana County Planning Commission submitted their recommendations to Commissioner Ruddock and his crew on Wednesday. According to analysis by PennFuture’s legal team, the recommendations include at least nine conditions for drilling pre-empted by current law. This week, the Senate and the House have passed similar bills dealing with an impact fee, … Continue reading
CHC Update: Weak, Weaker, Weakest
Greetings friends! Two important legislative policy updates, one on the county’s recommendations for a new ordinance in the CZ along with next steps, and the other on the House and Senate bills passed this week. And then of course the Fracking News. Planning Commission Recommendations Weak (and getting weaker) After additional analysis of the planning … Continue reading
The Fracking News – Action, Analysis, Accidents, and Alternatives
The Fracking News The Indiana County Planning Commission has recommended drilling be allowed in the conservation zone. Think that’s a bad idea? Let the commissioners know, Wednesday, 11/16, 10:30am at the County Courthouse. A recent graduate from IUP has started putting maps together for CHC. What would you like to see on this … Continue reading
CHC Update – Planning Commission recommends drilling in CZ
Greetings Friends, Take Action! Two legislative bills (H.B. 1950 and S.B. 1100 ) currently under consideration in Harrisburg would pre-empt all local ordinances attempting to regulate Marcellus drilling in their municipalities & replace them with a weakened State regulation allowing Marcellus drilling even in residential areas. These bills would restrict Indiana County from regulating drilling … Continue reading
The Fracking News – Votes Matter!!
The Fracking News HB 1950 passed the House Finance Committee last week. Along with decent environmental protections, it includes the Governor’s impact fee, as well as a provision to completely strip the authority of municipalities to zone oil and gas operations. If passed, it would pull the rug out from under Indiana County’s process to rewrite … Continue reading
CHC Update – Volunteers needed ASAP!!
Tuesday, Nov. 8 CHC Petition Drive – Volunteers needed! Nov. 8 is election day, and a unique opportunity for CHC to build support for a prohibition of deep shale drilling in the conservation zones through a petition drive at polling stations. We’re looking for volunteers that would be willing to spend a couple hours at Indiana County polling … Continue reading
Coalition for a Healthy County 