Natural gas drilling is a major social, economic, political and environmental issue affecting Pennsylvania. Currently, Pennsylvania laws supersede or pre-empt local regulation on a broad array of issues related to natural gas drilling and production. As a result, the scope of local governments’ ability to regulate natural gas drilling in their communities is relatively narrow.
Still, the regulatory tools currently available to local governments are substantial and, if used appropriately, afford local governments an opportunity to protect and preserve the interests, characters and goals of their local communities.
