Newtown Twp. tables fracking ordinance, will wait for Wrightstown
On Tuesday, the Newtown Township Planning Commission decided not to vote on a fracking ordinance that is making the rounds in Bucks County municipalities.
Chairman Allen Fiddler said the commission will wait until Wrightstown passes the measure before considering the controversial ordinance, which has been opposed by environmentalists who say it will encourage fracking. The bill's author, Wrightstown solicitor Terry Clemons, has said it would make the area uninviting for the fracking industry.
Fiddler said the commission will not act on the bill before Wrightstown, which tabled its version of the ordinance on Oct. 13.
Newtown Township, Wrightstown and Upper Makefield are linked by a Municipal Zoning Ordinance, the only one of its kind in the state. A planning board made up of representatives from each township meets to recommend mutual zoning laws, which then must be passed by each township's supervisors to take effect. All three are considering versions of a fracking ordinance that comes out of Wrightstown. Wrightstown's tabling of the resolution last week precludes Newtown from taking action, Fiddler said, since that is where the ordinance emerged. Wrightstown must act before Newtown will consider it.
"If Wrightstown isn't happy with it," Fiddler said, "we are spinning our wheels and taking time away from our commission and our citizens for what would be an academic exercise."
A large crowd turned out to hear the fracking discussion. Betty Tatham, a Newtown resident and member of Bucks Against Fracking, wanted assurance from the commission that an ordinance outlining fracking in Newtown would not be considered.
"We are extremely nervous about this ordinance," she said. "We thought it was gone in 2015."
Fiddler responded that the commission does not feel the current proposal is ready and put the responsibility on Wrightstown to come up with appropriate legislation.
He told local anti-fracking activists to keep working and to focus their efforts where decisions are made.
"I've always said the best thing we can do is ensure the (fracking) moratorium continues," he said.
The Delaware River Basin Commission's fracking moratorium is set to expire in 2018.
Nick Bowlin: 215-949-4213; email: email@example.com; Twitter: @npbowlin