DEP Issues Permit to Range Resources for First Well in North Strabane

The state Department of Environmental Protection this week issued a permit to Southpoint-based Range Resources for an unconventional well planned for North Strabane Township.

The permit for the well—the first in the township—was issued Monday for what is being referred to as the Minor Samuel Unit, according to the DEP website.

How that drilling will proceed largely depends on an anticipated state Supreme Court ruling on a challenge to Act 13—Pennsylvania's law governing Marcellus Shale activity.

If the supreme court upholds a Commonwealth Court decision that pre-emption of local zoning laws is unconstitutional, then Range Resources would be required to go through the conditional use process as stipulated by North Strabane's ordinance governing Marcellus Shale drilling.

If the supreme court rules that pre-emption is constitutional, Range Resources would not be required to submit to any conditions set by North Strabane officials before proceeding with drilling activity.

No further information was immediately available Saturday afternoon.