Pa. Supreme Court Strikes Key Provisions of Act 13 as Unconstitutional
December 24, 2013
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on December 19, 2013 that several provisions of Act 13 of 2012 are unconstitutional. The invalidated provisions are primarily those requiring municipalities to adopt zoning ordinances that would allow drilling in all zoning districts and instructed localities as to what they were required to permit in terms of approval of drilling projects, as contained in the Act. This landmark decision, under a best-case scenario, will result in more efforts by the drilling industry to work closely with state legislators and municipal groups to find creative solutions for a clear set of rules with a predictable framework for oil and gas development projects throughout the Commonwealth. Read more: UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ALERT – PA Supreme Court Strikes Key Provisions of Act 13 as Unconstitutional