Many townships have passed Resolution stating opposition to proposed House Bill #1950 which would preempt the ability of local municipalities to regulate zoning and land use for the gas and oil industry in Pennsylvania. Robinson Township has attached these to a letter sent along to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Solicitors:
We are planning a town hall meeting to discuss the ramifications of HB1950 and to seek co-sponsorship/endorsement of a letter to PSATS urging them to rescind their endorsement of HB1950. We are also planning to send a letter to all State Representatives and Senators voicing our opposition to HB1950.
The meeting will be held at the Greentree Borough Municipal Building located at 10 West Manilla Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 on December 13, 2011 at 8pm.
This meeting is not intended to discuss the merits of the gas and oil industry in Pennsylvania or the positive and negative impacts of drilling. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the impact HB1950 will have on local municipalities and the dangers of such legislation as it preempts local zoning and land use laws and ordinances. The meeting will be open to the public, but we are not planning on a public Q&A session. We are also planning to invite State Representatives and Senators, as well as representatives from PSATS to attend. We are also trying to get some media coverage to get the message out about HB1950 and the effect it will have on local government’s sovereignty.
HB1950 will affect all communities, large and small, as it severally limits the self-governance of local municipalities in relation to the gas and oil industry. This legislation sets a dangerous precedence and could open the door to other industries seeking to avoid compliance with local zoning and land use laws.
Please pass this information on to all of your local officials and encourage them to attend this important meeting. We need to send a clear, unified message to PSATS and Harrisburg that zoning and land use regulation needs to remain at the local level.
Robinson Township, Washington County, our residents, and the Board of Supervisors urge you to join us in opposition to House Bill 1950.
Please RSVP by December 9th.
Feel free to contact me with questions or for further information.
Richard A. Ward
Township Manager
Robinson Township, Washington County
Ph: 724-926-8700 / Fax: 724-926-0108
