Councilman says 'No' to Drillers

Pittsburgh City Councilman Doug Shields says he is not going to follow the advise of the city law department and will instead move forward with plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit Marcellus Shale drilling in the city. The law department and legal scholars have told Shields in the past that such legislation runs contrary to state law. Shields says he wants to protect the residents of Pittsburgh from some of the environmental impacts being attributed to shale drilling in other parts of the state. However, he says the decision to introduce the legislation goes beyond gas drilling. He says it is about “local self government” and the ability to “say ‘no’ to corporations that will cause damage to our community.” Although no drilling applications have been filed in the city there are reports of energy companies sending letters to residents laying the groundwork for drilling in a handful of neighborhoods in the city including Lawrenceville.