Zoning

A Pittsburgh suburb has denied Apex Energy LLC’s request for a conditional use permit to construct a nine-well shale gas pad, saying in its decision that the company failed to prove that its operations would “not violate the environmental rights of the citizens.”

A Pittsburgh suburb has denied Apex Energy LLC’s request for a conditional use permit to construct a nine-well shale gas pad, saying in its decision that the company failed to prove that its operations would “not violate the environmental rights of the citizens.”

Another Pennsylvania judge has upheld a local zoning ordinance that allows natural gas drilling in residential/agricultural districts, rejecting a challenge from residents and environmental groups that argued the areas are not suitable for such development.

After months of deliberation and public hearings, a western Pennsylvania township zoning board rejected an appeal from two environmental organizations and four local residents to stop Rex Energy Corp. from proceeding with a five-well pad near a school.

After months of deliberation and public hearings, a western Pennsylvania township zoning board rejected an appeal from two environmental organizations and four local residents to stop Rex Energy Corp. from proceeding with a five-well pad near a school.

Two state agencies have filed a motion with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court asking it to reconsider a landmark decision made on Dec. 19 that struck down key provisions of the state’s most comprehensive oil and gas law.

The city of Dallas Plan Commission on Thursday voted to reconsider the application by Trinity East Energy LLC for three zoning permits that would allow it to drill within the city limits. The commission previously voted against granting the permits (see Shale Daily, Jan. 8). The commission now is expected to hold a hearing on the permits Feb. 17. If the specific use permits ultimately receive the commission’s blessing, Trinity East will have an easier time gaining the ultimate approval it needs to drill from Dallas City Council. Some drilling opponents in attendance at the commission meeting chanted “shame” following the vote to reconsider; some wept, and one activist was led from the chamber, according to an online report by TheDallas Morning News.

In Pennsylvania, the Luzerne County Zoning Hearing Board will announce a decision on whether to allow a proposal by a midstream subsidiary of UGI Corp. to move forward at its next meeting on Sept. 4. UGI Energy Services Inc. wants to construct 27.4 miles of pipeline across Wyoming and Luzerne counties (see Shale Daily, Aug. 7). The balance of the project, 23.4 miles, would be a 24-inch diameter pipeline starting at the current terminus of UGI’s Auburn Pipeline in Wyoming and running southeast into Luzerne, with a new interconnection with the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) at West Wyoming Borough. The proposed compressor station would have three units with about 200,000 Dth/d of capacity. UGI also proposes to build four miles of 12-inch diameter pipeline, which would run south from the Transco interconnect and enter the city of Wilkes-Barre, where it would connect to the natural gas distribution system operated by UGI Utilities Inc., another subsidiary.

A group of Pennsylvania state lawmakers is proposing an impact fee on Marcellus Shale wells based upon the actual damage caused by natural gas operations in the state.