Commonwealth Court Tuesday denied an application by the PA Environmental Defense Foundation to reconsider its January 7 ruling upholding the state’s ability to shift funds out of DCNR’s Oil and Gas Fund to balance the state budget.

The reconsideration asked the court to reconsider because the judges did not address its fundamental claim: that the state failed to perform its constitutional duty to evaluate the likely environmental impact before leasing tens of thousands of acres of state forests for natural gas extraction and transferring the money out of the conservation fund controlled by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The FY 2014-15 state budget still anticipates another $95 million in revenue will be pulled from the Oil and Gas Fund to balance the budget.

NewsClips:

Court Rejects Appeal On State Forest Leasing

Editorial: Wolf Protects Public Lands From Drilling

New House Bill Links Severance Tax, Impact Fee

Bipartisan Lawmakers Want 3.2% Natural Gas Tax

New Year, New Severance Tax Proposals

Legislators Push Severance Tax To Fund Public Education

Op-Ed: Fracking Moratorium Good Step, Severance Tax Needed

Op-Ed: Severance Tax Could Slow American Energy Revolution

Obama Proposes Extra $200M For Mine Reclamation

Obama Seeks $50M Cut In Great Lakes Restoration

Obama Proposes More Pipeline Safety Money

Obama Budget Helps Underfunded Mine Worker Pensions

2/9/2015