DALLAS, Pa., Oct 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- After more than six months, numerous Township meetings with residents, and a final public hearing, the Dallas Township Board of Supervisors recently voted unanimously to approve a Curative Amendment which will immediately impose restrictions and requirements on any and all oil and natural gas drilling and/or pipeline activities conducted in the Township.

After seeking expert environmental and legal counsel, the Board concluded that the Curative Amendment is in the best interest of township residents and a responsible safe-guarding measure.  This Amendment is one of the first of its kind to be enacted at the local municipality level in Pennsylvania.

This action was taken with the knowledge that, according to the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act, no municipality in the state has the authority to ban oil and gas drilling or regulate operations.  Therefore, the Board determined that by enacting the fifty-page Curative Ordinance, the Township will retain authority to determine where in the Township oil and gas drilling may occur.

Any future gas-related activities or applications impacting Township residents will be subject to a conditional Use Hearing which will enable the Board of Supervisors to thoroughly review and examine any proposal and establish specific compliance guidelines for every gas company operating or attempting to operate in Dallas Township.

Additionally, the curative amendment requires any oil or gas company, to assure it is complying with all current and future industry regulations in the Commonwealth.  Companies will be required to obtain permits from the State Department of Environmental Protection and any other regulatory agency with authority or jurisdiction over the drilling or pipeline process.

A copy of the Curative Amendment and Ordinance can be found at: http://www.dallastownship.com/23.html

Media Contact: Attorney Thomas Brennan, Dallas Township Solicitor Dallas Township, (570) 288-8255, dallastwpoffice@epix.net

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Dallas Township

Back to top