Drillers sue to operate in Allegheny National Forest
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ERIE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association wants a federal judge to hold the U.S. Forest Service in contempt of court for allegedly violating the judge's 2009 court order reversing a drilling ban in the Allegheny National Forest.
The Forest Service temporarily halted drilling in April 2009, until an environmental assessment could be done, to settle litigation brought by environmentalists.
But U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin ruled in December 2009 that the Forest Service couldn't require environmental assessments before drillers can access their mineral rights beneath the forest.
The oil and gas companies said they stood to lose millions of dollars under the ban and, the Bradford Era reports, have filed for contempt claiming the Forest Service is issuing notices that delay drilling and have prevented the use of ground and surface water for Marcellus drilling in the forest. The Forest Service must file a reply by Aug. 8.
First Published July 19, 2011 11:35 am
