Philadelphia Council unanimous in opposing state’s gas-drilling law

The Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday that opposes Pennsylvania's natural-gas drilling law, which supersedes local zoning controls.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilman Curtis Jones and endorsed by anti-drilling activists, supports a Commonwealth Court decision that overturned the section of Act 13 that restricts a municipality's ability to zone for oil and gas drilling. The Corbett Administration is appealing the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Councilman David Oh, a Republican, said he voted for the resolution because he opposes the loss of local control, not because he opposes developing Marcellus Shale gas.

- Troy Graham and Andrew Maykuth