North Huntingdon officials are concerned about the proliferation of natural gas drilling in the township, specifically Marcellus Shale sites.

The commissioners are considering retaining a special counsel to help determine the municipality's legal options to regulate natural gas well drilling and operations.

"I'm not sure there is a whole lot we can do," Chairman Andy Blenko told the township planning commission. "The state Department of Environmental Protection regulates all natural gas drilling. Municipalities can't enact ordinances that infringe on state laws."

"Drilling in several areas within the township has doubled during the last two years," added Mr. Blenko, who also is the township planning director/engineer. "Now there's a Marcellus Shale well site coming in, and I'm sure more will follow.

"Considering the problems associated with Marcellus well drilling and operations, and potential public safety issues, we need to at least find out if there is a way we can regulate drilling and operations without risking litigation."

Salem supervisors attempted to regulate natural gas well drilling by adopting two ordinances intended to limit operations, Mr. Blenko noted.

"Gas companies challenged both ordinances in court and won," he said. "However, Oakmont adopted an ordinance that regulates gas well drilling within the borough that withstood challenges in Allegheny County and Commonwealth courts by gas companies because it enforced [municipal] zoning laws."

The Oakmont ordinance requires a conditional-use exception for extracting minerals in residential areas.

"We are taking a look at the Oakmont ordinance," Mr. Blenko said.

Planner Virginia Stump suggested that "possibly the township should consider trying to limit drilling in R3 and R4 zoned residential areas. Parcels in those districts are much larger and would be better suited for natural gas well operations."

Natural gas well drilling operations are under way on property off Ward Drive in the western end of the township, not far from the 600-home Penn's Woods development.

The site, which is accessed by a company-constructed, gated dirt road off Ward Drive, is near several homes and the new Stewartsville Elementary School in the Norwin district.

Residents fear the gas well, which would financially benefit the school district, will affect property values. Some plan to ask township officials to make sure drilling operations and sites conform to state laws.

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