Pennsylvania’s Act 13 of 2012, signed in February of this year, revised the Commonwealth’s Oil and Gas Act to accommodate and address the increased activity associated with the extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.  It included provisions for impact fees, environmental protections, and set-back restrictions.  In addition, it also required local municipalities to adhere to uniform zoning laws that would provide for the development of oil and gas resources in the Commonwealth.  Yesterday, in the case of Robinson Township v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, No. 284 M.D. 2012 (July 26, 2012), the Commonwealth Court in a 4-3 decision held that provision of the law to be unconstitutional. Read More »

Share | Email| Comments|  Topics: Act 13, Cases to Watch, Drilling, Due Process, Leases, Marcellus Shale, Oil and Gas, Pennsylvania, Procedure, Real Estate, Standing, Zoning

In a pair of December cases, the National Association of Home Builders (“NAHB”) has found itself without standing to challenge determinations made by the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers with respect to whether certain “waters” fall within the agencies’ regulatory powers under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”).   Read More »

Share | Email| Comments|  Topics: Clean Water Act, NPDES, Permits, Procedure, Real Estate, Standing, Wetlands