UPDATED: Nearly 100 Turn Out to Protest at Range Resources

Despite periods of heavy rain, nearly 100 people turned out to protest outside of Range Resources’ Southpointe headquarters Tuesday afternoon only to be told by Cecil Township police that they would not be permitted on premises.

Protesters carried a letter addressed to Gov. Tom Corbett and the General Assembly calling for the creation of a severance tax for natural gas extraction “like those in place in every other major energy-producing state.”

“Enough is enough. I’m tired of seeing profitable gas companies pollute our air and water and not even pay their fair share,” said Tom Hoffman, western Pennsylvania director for Clean Water Action. “In addition to unconscionable cuts to education and other needed services, this budget continues to cut environmental protections at a time when they are sorely needed.”

The protesters began assembling just before 3 p.m. in a parking lot just down the hill from Range Resources, waiting until about 4:20 p.m. to make their way up Southpointe Boulevard with signs, air horns and makeshift drums, chanting, “What do we want? A gas tax! When do we want it? Now!” during the march.

But when they got to the entrance of the Range Resources building, police from North Strabane, Canonsburg, Cecil and Peters were waiting to help direct traffic and keep protesters from entering.

Cecil Township police told organizers who walked across the street to present the letter were told that the management company that owns the buildings asked that no one be permitted to enter. A sign indicating that the area was private property had also been posted.

Protesters stood for several minutes, chanting and making speeches as cars drove by honking their horns in acknowledgement.

“They are taking billions in resources from our state and not paying their fair share,” Hoffman said. “How do you feel about that?”

The crowd then uttered a hearty “No!”

After organizers were turned away by police, the group walked back to the area from which it started.

Reached after the rally, Range Resources spokesman Matt Pitzarella confirmed that employees from the company were permitted to leave work around 3 p.m. and that the decision to keep protesters out was the decision of the management company from which it leases the space in Southpointe.

He said the employees were sent home in the same spirit in which the protesters assembled—“to stimulate the economy even more.”

Pitzarella added that employees were encouraged to go spend money at local eateries and shops.

He also gave the following statement:

"It was great to see people tough it through the rain this afternoon, as our workers do, to bring attention to the tremendous economic activity and unprecedented tax revenue surges this industry has brought to my home Pennsylvania," Pitzarella said. "Despite the $800 million in taxes this industry generated last year, Range supports a local impact fee to ensure local communities fully maximize the benefits of this resource and do not incur additional expenses."