StateImpact reported Wednesday Commonwealth Court heard oral arguments on a series of issues the PA Supreme Court directed them to rehear as a result of its December 2013 decision declaring portions of the Act 13 drilling law unconstitutional.
While much of Act 13 remains intact, Commonwealth Court was directed to rehear arguments on several issues--
-- Provisions related to doctor access to the chemicals used in fracking and other drilling operations;
-- Can private companies use eminent domain to take private property for natural gas storage;
-- Are provisions related to notice to water suppliers, excluding private well owners, a so-called special law which are prohibited under the state constitution;
-- Are provisions allowing the Public Utility Commission to review local zoning ordinances and withhold drilling impact fee money where ordinances do not meet the standards of Act 13 constitutional.
The Associated Press reported Thursday the Court gave no indication when it would be issuing a ruling on these issues.
NewsClips:
Court To Hear Oral Arguments In Drilling Law Case
