An ordinance to limit natural gas drilling to areas zoned for commercial and industrial use, primarily along Rt. 19, has been adopted by Cranberry’s Board of Supervisors. The restrictions would minimize the impact of any drilling on the Township’s residential neighborhoods and limit their need to use Township roads. The ordinance does not allow for drilling to take place on farmland and other large undeveloped properties zoned R1. To date, no applications to create a drilling operation in Cranberry Township have been filed. With the exception of zoning, municipal governments have no authority to regulate the activity of gas and oil extraction. That power has been pre-empted by state and federal authorities. Any municipality which doesn’t zone for gas drilling is obliged to allow it anywhere. The Township’s ordinance is available by clicking on the link below.