State and Local Elected Officials Defend Township’s Right to Protect Itself
A Press Release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, from May 21st, 2018.
GRANT TOWNSHIP, INDIANA COUNTY, PA: Last month, Pennsylvania General Energy Company (PGE) continued its harassment of Grant Township, attempting to recover more than $100,000 from the Township in attorney’s fees. In 2014, Grant Township enacted a Community Bill of Rights banning fracking wastewater injection wells as a violation of the community’s democratic and environmental rights. PGE sued the Township to overturn the ban. Township Supervisors and community members have been united in their stand against PGE and their determination to protect their water.
The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) assisted in the drafting of the Community Bill of Rights and has represented the Township to defend the ordinance.
Last month’s filing was the latest attempt by PGE to threaten the Township with bankruptcy in a four year David and Goliath battle. Township Supervisor Jon Perry indicated the Township does not have the funds to pay the corporation’s attorney’s fees, stating that paying those fees would mean the Township “would not be able to pay salaries, maintain roads, or perform critical government functions. Grant Township does not have the means to pay attorney’s fees to PGE in any amount.” If Grant Township is required to pay those fees, they will face financial bankruptcy in addition to the threat of environmental bankruptcy from PGE’s proposed fracking wastewater injection well. MORE…