Our state government, as well as the region’s natural gas industry, continue to work collaboratively to ensure that the concerns and needs of local communities across the Commonwealth are effectively addressed. In fact, in addition to the more than $1.6 billion in state taxes that the natural gas industry has paid since 2006 in Pennsylvania, a recently enacted natural gas impact fee has generated more than $204 million for various programs, with the majority of these revenues going to local communities. Impact fee disbursements were announced by Governor Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in the middle of October, with nearly $109 million directed to local governments and communities. Upon that announcement, MSC president Kathryn Klaber said this:
The safe development of job-creating American natural gas continues to provide significant economic and environmental benefits across our region, and today’s announcement further underscores the fact that Marcellus Shale production is positively impacting every square inch of the Commonwealth. These critical resources will help ensure that local governments are equipped to make the most of this historic opportunity. The natural gas industry’s work across the Commonwealth is indeed a true partnership with county and local governments. Importantly, these revenues are being directed to each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties regardless of where natural gas operations are taking place. In fact, the city of Philadelphia alone will receive nearly $1.3 million, in addition to the positive economic impacts southeastern Pennsylvania has seen – from lower consumer prices to the renewal of the region’s idled refineries.
And in a recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette column, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection secretary Michael Krancer and Patrick Henderson, Governor Tom Corbett’s energy executive, write this:
Through Act 13, Gov. Tom Corbett and the Legislature have not only enhanced environmental protection standards but also put in place a per-well impact fee, with an initial distribution of $204 million to Pennsylvania municipalities and commonwealth agencies. … Every Pennsylvanian is already benefiting from the Marcellus Shale. We are only at the beginning of building Pennsylvania into the energy center of the world and the jobs center of the country.
