Marcellus Shale Impact Fees Headed to Counties and Municipalities
HARRISBURG -- About $200 million in impact fees, from the 58 companies drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, is now being disbursed to Pennsylvania counties and municipalities, including more than $423,000 to Chester County.
“I am delighted that we are beginning to receive revenue from natural gas drilling that is needed to fund environmental initiatives in Chester County,” said Ross. “Act 13 became effective in mid-April. Therefore the disbursements we are receiving now reflect only a partial year’s revenue and are expected to be significantly higher in future years.”
Under Act 13 of 2012, 60 percent of the revenue collected will go to counties and municipalities impacted by the drilling. The fees may be used for a variety of impacts, including the preservation and reclamation of water supplies, improvements to local roads and bridges, and construction and repair of water and sewer systems.
The remaining 40 percent will be maintained by the Commonwealth for emergency response planning, necessary repairs and maintenance, and statewide environmental programs. In Chester County, this revenue provides a dedicated funding source for the Chester County Conservation District, and will support Growing Greener initiatives. Despite the fact that many Pennsylvania municipalities have no zoning to prohibit natural gas drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, Act 13 contains a number of provisions to protect homes, streams and water supplies.
For more information, visit:
http://www.puc.pa.gov/filing_resources/issues_laws_regulations/act_13_impact_fee_.aspx
State Representative Chris Ross
158th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Donna Pinkham
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
717.260.6452