Pittsburgh Presbytery Ends Ban on Shale Gas Leases and Approves Pipeline Negotiations
The Pittsburgh Presbytery recently ended a yearlong moratorium on shale gas leasing and development on church property, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Despite the recommendation of a special Presbytery shale gas task force, which favored extending the ban for another year, 230 voting members decided against renewing the year-old ban on shale gas development.
The Presbytery also approved allowing negotiation of a lease with Shell Oil and Gas Co. for a 32-inch gas pipeline across the Crestfield Camp & Conference Center, a 226-acre property near Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The proposed pipeline would be located on a corner of the property away from Slippery Rock Creek, camp buildings and activity areas.