Not in my back yard

Pittsburgh city council just voted unanimously to ban natural gas drilling in the city, making it the first in PA not to allow it.  An industry group had been lobbying council not to pass the ban, saying it would violate private property rights.  Some companies say they may sue the city.

Council members expressed concern with the potential public health risks of natural gas drilling, saying they outweigh the economic benefits.  Pittsburgh sits over part of the Marcellus Shale formation, one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world.  Experts estimate if tapped, it could satisfy the nation’s energy needs for the next 20 years.