PToprotecting Communities and Special Places
  e-Newsletter  December 20 , 2013

Responsible Drilling Alliance
 quote"By any responsible account, the exploitation of the Marcellus Shale Formation will produce a
detrimental effect on the environment, on the
people, their children, and future generations,
                                                 and potentially on the public purse, perhaps rivaling
                                                            the environmental effects of coal extraction." 

                                                                                                                    ~ Pa. Supreme Court 
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eventsUPCOMING EVENTS
Keep It Wild
Holiday Hike

Christmas Day
December 25

2:00 p.m.

There's no better way to de-stress from the holiday craziness like a walk in the woods. Join us on Christmas Day at Rider Park for some fresh air and walk the Katy Jane trail.



------------------------
Film Screening

"Elemental"

Saturday
January 25, 2014

2:00 p.m.

Campus Theater
Lewisburg, PA 17837

Elemental tells the story of three individuals united by their deep connection with nature and driven to confront some of the most pressing ecological challenges of our time.


  ACT 13 RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!
!!!

 

lawGAS INDUSTRY TAKEOVER LAW DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL BY PA SUPREME COURT


The PA Supreme Court has ruled Act 13 is unconstitutional on the grounds that it violates the Environmental Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution. Notably, the Court stated, "As the citizens illustrate, development of the natural gas industry in the Commonwealth unquestionably has and will have a lasting, and undeniably detrimental, impact on the quality of these core aspects [life, health, and liberty: surface and ground water, ambient air, etc.] of Pennsylvania's environment, which are part of the public trust...By any responsible account, the exploitation of the Marcellus Shale Formation will produce a detrimental effect on the environment, on the people, their children, and future generations, and potentially on the public purse, perhaps rivaling the environmental effects of coal extraction."
This court decision gives local residents more decision-making power with regard to the location of gas drilling operations, such as this one on Rt. 87 north of Montoursville, just over 1,000 feet from Loyalsock Valley Elementary School. 

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that Act 13 violates the Pennsylvania Constitution. In doing so, the Court struck down the shale gas industry's effort to force every municipality in the state to allow gas drilling and related industrial operations in every zoning district. The Court's decision upholds the ability of local governments to protect their local communities and natural resources through zoning. Chief Justice Castille authored the historic majority opinion. Justices Todd, McCaffrey and Baer joined in the result.

"The Court has vindicated the public's right to a clean environment and our right to fight for it when it is being trampled on. Today the environment and the people of Pennsylvania have won and special interests and their advocates in Harrisburg have lost. This proves the Constitution still rules, despite the greedy pursuits of the gas and oil industry. With this huge win we will move ahead to further undo the industry's grip of our state government," said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.

"This is a great historic victory for local democracy, for public health, and for the health of our environment. The shale gas industry overreached, greedily wanting to operate without respecting local concerns and without playing by the same set of rules everyone else has to play by. The Corbett Administration and the General Assembly went along with it and tried to give away our rights to the gas industry. The Supreme Court has made it clear that what they were trying to do violates our state Constitution. It's a great day for the Constitution and the people of the Commonwealth," said Jordan Yeager, counsel for the plaintiffs.

"The gas industry tried to take over every inch of every municipality in Pennsylvania for drilling, regardless of the zoning rights of local governments and the residents they represent. The industry and their backers in Harrisburg overreached when they thought they could literally takeover the state, turning it into one big drilling and gas infrastructure site. We fought this law because it was illegal and because it spelled ruin for public health and the environment, even though we, as plaintiffs, didn't have nearly the resources our powerful and well-funded opponents had. This proves, when you have the law and environmental rights on your side, it's worth fighting and you can win," said Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

The Court has been deliberating the case since argument was heard more than a year ago.


Join the effort: Join RDA                     Responsible Drilling Alliance

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Click the RDA logo to join, or contact RDA at                                              
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Thank you for your support!
RDA Newsletter

Ann Pinca, managing editor
Ted Stroter, RDA Board of Directors editor
Ralph Kisberg, contributing editor
Robbie Cross, President - RDA Board of Directors
Jenni Slotterback, Secretary - RDA Board of Directors
Barb Jarmoska, Treasurer - RDA Board of Directors
Mark Szybist - RDA Board of Directors
Roscoe McCloskey - RDA Board of Directors
Jim Slotterback - RDA Board of Directors

This weekly e-letter is written and designed by the RDA consultants and Board of Directors and sent to RDA members/subscribers. Every effort is made to assure complete accuracy in each issue. This publication and the information contained herein is copyrighted by RDA and Ann Pinca and may not be reproduced without permission.
All rights reserved. Readers are invited to forward this newsletter in its entirety to broaden the scope of its outreach. Readers are also invited to comment to the managing editor regarding contents and to submit articles to be considered for publication in a future issue.      
Please note: The RDA newsletter includes reporting on a variety of events and activities, which do not necessarily reflect the philosophy of the organization. RDA practices only non-violent action in voicing the organization's beliefs and concerns.