Portions of Gas Drilling Law Struck Down by Pennsylvania Supreme Court

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared major provisions of the state's Marcellus Shale drilling law, Act 13, unconstitutional Thursday, including one that allows gas companies to drill anywhere, overriding local zoning laws.

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The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared major provisions of the state's Marcellus Shale drilling law, Act 13, unconstitutional Thursday, including one that allows gas companies to drill anywhere, overriding local zoning laws.

The court's decision, on a 4-2 vote, also sent back to Commonwealth Court for review and disposition challenges by a physician to the Act 13 provisions that would have prevented doctors from telling patients about health impacts related to shale gas development, and a constitutional challenge that the law benefits a single industry.

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Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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