Less than a week after residents in Peters overwhelmingly voted to reject a ban on Marcellus Shale gas drilling, council members passed a resolution opposing legislation that would further restrict the zoning powers of municipalities.

Council members unanimously voted Monday night to pass the resolution in response to a state House bill that would eliminate local zoning regulations in favor of new statewide rules governing gas well drilling operations.

A copy of the new ordinance will be forwarded to local legislators, most of whom already have been hearing from council members who are vehemently opposed to the proposed change.

"I certainly agree with this," said council President Robert Atkison of the ordinance. "We don't need them to take any more power from us."

Although state laws, such as the Oil and Gas Act, already control most aspects of gas drilling, local municipalities have the ability to craft zoning laws that can steer the drilling away from certain areas. Local regulations also can control noise, road damage and other considerations.

The state House is expected to continue debating the proposal today. A state Senate committee last night approved a different version that doesn't strip municipalities of oversight power, but does allow the state Attorney General to review local provisions regarding gas well drilling.

Peters council members in August approved a local drilling ordinance that limited gas wells to sites with at least 40 acres, along with other restrictions, but members of a citizens group sought to have the ordinance overturned in favor of a ban during last week's general election.

The measure failed by a 4 to 1 margin.

Still, local activist Jet Miskis thanked people "who would not allow themselves to be intimidated and came to the polls and voted."

"I'm very proud of the people of Peters Township and the way they turned out for the election," resident Ron Boocks told council, saying that he thought the matter should be dropped.

First Published: November 15, 2011, 10:30 a.m.