I believe that if the statement from Range Resources holds any merit that they have every right to sue the township. In my opinion this all boils down to money, and the township wants to hold the cards as far as who and where and when anyone gets to drill for marcellus shale in the township. It won't be long before there is so much regulation and red tape that these companies, who employ hundreds of local men and women, will not be able to have their business survive in the area.

I live in PT. We have cunrrently have a strict conditional use ordinance. We also have a proposed home rule charter amendment facing PT voters. The amendment bans drilling in PT, removes corporate rights, and nullifies our ordinance. The issues surrounding what towns can & can't do concerning drilling are fairly clear, & are spelled out in PA's Oil & Gas Act, PA's Home Rule Charter, and the Municipal Planning Code. Townships can regulate via zoning where drilling can occur. They can regulate other matters not addressed in the O&G Act, such as sound, water testing, etc... Towns cannot ban drilling. They can't do it directly via an outright ban such as PT's proposed amendment. They can't do it indirectly as Range claims SF is doing, but relegating drilling to such a small area that in fact "defacto", drilling can't occur. If RR's defacto claim prevails, and if PT's ban amendment is approved by voters, the movement in Harrisburg to REMOVE ZONING AUTHORITY FROM TOWNS will be strengthened. Supporting local drilling ban actions strengthens this "eliminate zoning authority" movement, spearheaded by the industry and supported by many state legislators. The industry claims towns are arbitrary and capricious regarding drilling zoning, & violate the O&G Act. Zoning is the one limited authority towns have to control the character of their towns. Giving the industry support by approving local bans is misguided & will ultimately give the industry more power.

ON THE FRONTLINES WITH EARTHJUSTICE

Earthjustice recently submitted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of more than 100 organizations in 23 states demanding scrutiny of the many dangerous chemicals used in the process known as fracking, or hydraulic fracturing. Fracking is used to extract oil and gas from certain below-ground formations and has poisoned groundwater in many places.

earthjustice.org
202-667-4500
D.C. Office

Here I am again Gary. I want everyone to know who funds.....
Earthjustice:
Billionaire Financier George Soros’ Open Society Institute Gave At Least $5,000 To Earthjustice. (Open Society Institute Website, www.soros.org, Accessed 4/26/05)
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/GEORGE%20SOROS'%20WEB%20OF%20OBSTRUCTION.htm
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/GEORGE%20SOROS'%20WEB%20OF%20OBSTRUCTION.htm
HERE is the story by PCFFA how they created IFR to get non-profit funding, namely, George Soros-funded Earthjustice to sue resource users. http://www.pcffa.org/fn-jul03.htm
http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org/fundingthedemise/TOC.htm
Be sure and read this one that explains exactly what Earth Justice is all about.
http://www.capitalresearch.org/pubs/pdf/v1233348420.pdf
Between 2004 and 2008 the law firm Earthjustice received $550,000 from the Open Society Foundations, a foundation Soros created in 1993, according to Internal Revenue Service records.
http://www.capitalpress.com/content/jb-soros-sugar-122410

Please visit PTMSA.com for a balanced opinion against the hysteria emanating from Peters Township council. Vote for your right to the peaceful enjoyment of your property, not just that of Suzanne Kennedy which she thinks she’s secured with her personal lawyer’s intervention. We are not asking you to take away any individual’s rights to profit from their own property, but only when that profit is at the expense of their neighbors.

Wow, Rod, you're everywhere. But so are people who disagree with you. You know, those local lunatics who keep yammering about "law" and "rights" and that pesky "Constitution". Really, can you believe them? How dare they assert that people in this country have rights. What's next--stating they have freedom of speech? Or they can choose their own religion? That's just crazy talk. Thank goodness we have you out there reminding people the only way is your way...

Isn't it wonderful Range Resources wishes to dictate as to what a township can do? Who does Range Resources think they are? Not only do they screw up the value of property/land(s) near any fracking site, they now think they can force it upon you by a lawsuit. Thuggery at it's finest.

Really, Judy? Then perhaps Range ought to follow laws, too. Especially concerning laws pertaining to environmental safety. Proof? Got it. Photographic proof of what these guys do, like drawing water out of creeks. Let me guess, Judy; you're working for Range.

If you have proof, show it. I mean, if you can prove your silly allegations, then surely that would achieve your agenda, right? Wouldn't it end all the debate? Or is this like the blood test "proof" and the infrared camera "proof" and the my-children-are-sick "proof"...meaning not quite real? Serve it up, Parker. I'd like to see the basis for your statements.

Bigrigroberto: take a drive through Hickory, PA, to start off with. Or, will you dismiss that as the "blood test" proof you pro fracking cretin?

Cretin? That's classy...so when you've lost the argument, you call people names? Ok, I can deal with that. And I'll deal with it by asking again for facts and proof. Show all of us the photos of the drained creek and any other alleged environmental violation. Either you have proof or you don't.

I have a family member in Hickory who has done quite well with the fracking and drilling! They are 100% BEHIND THE INDUSTRY!! HIs property value has increased, he has made money from the gas companies on his property, and it was and is all done LEGALLY. Parker, do you really think these companies are not following the local laws? Please! And no, I do not work for the gas companies! I am a stay at home mom who happens to be behind this industry that creates so many jobs, it is an economic boom to our area, and straight up Capitalism is what this Country of ours needs a little more of these days to get us out of this mess! Since when is draining a creek(s) with permission, an environmental violation? Several studies have shown that fracking and drilling does NOT harm drinking water. In fact the tests prove quite the opposite!

Money has a tendency to blind people to harm they may be doing to others, so, just because some people profit doesn't prove anything. I think it was Lincoln who said, "your rights end at the tip of my nose." Meaning you have rights but your rights can't infringe on anyone else's rights. I am not against the Marcellus Industry but do understand that we need government and other 3rd party oversight to protect all. As far as all out unbridled capitalism goes - a good look back into the late 19th and early 20th century robber barons would prove that isn't good, either. Lassez Faire Capitalism has never worked and it's not the model we need to emulate here.

A compressor station too close to a school or homes just isn't a good idea, imo. That's really what we're talking about here in Cecil, no? You people do realize that, right? Imo, it should be a conditional use because not all conditions are favorable to what the drilling industry wants to do. Pretty simple really. Had Range used more discretion in exactly where they wanted to locate this thing then conditional use may have never even come up.

Peters Township, Parker and Braedon please don't be fooled by these corporations POSING as individuals. I think their goal is to get people to react and participate in their games. St. Jude E Thaddeus whats up with the highschool drop out comment - what information is that helping to provide regarding your industry? Are you saying that is who you employ? I thought your ONLY CAUSE was YOUR PETERS TAXES...yet you are right here with bigrig. And I exit, singing Grant's posted song " What the FRACK is going on..with all this fracking going on..I think my water is on fire tonight...