Commonwealth Court Thursday declined to reverse an Allegheny County Court decision that said the Borough of Jefferson Bills cannot deny a conditional use application by EQT drilling company to operate a natural gas drilling pad within the Borough.

The Borough relied on a general provision in its zoning ordinance which provided: “The use shall not endanger the public health, safety or welfare nor deteriorate the environment, as a result of being located on the property where it is proposed.”

Borough officials also cited the Environmental Rights Amendment to the state’s constitution in rendering its decision

The Borough, however, said EQT drill pad application did meet the oil and gas overlay districts including in its zoning ordinance.

A copy of the decision is available online.

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[Posted: May 19, 2017]

5/22/2017