$27.6 million to be directed across the region for infrastructure, emergency services, environmental initiatives, and other programs.
HARRISBURG –The Marcellus Shale Impact Fee continues to deliver millions to county and local governments across the 23rd Senatorial District, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
“The Impact Fee not only funds critical projects locally but also a wide variety of important environmental projects in communities throughout the state,” Yaw said. “The natural gas industry has been a great partner in creating new jobs and opportunities, and today’s announcement is another reminder of the importance of this industry in Pennsylvania.”
In the most recent round of funding based on natural gas production in 2023, approximately $179.6 million was distributed statewide. Of that, $27.6 million will be sent back to counties and municipal governments in the 23rd Senatorial District.
The disbursements announced today by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) include:
Bradford:
County Distribution: $4,332,538.97 ($75,260,086.42 received by the County since 2011).
Municipal Distribution: $7,624,760.47 ($128,877,020.75 received by County municipalities since 2011).
Lycoming:
County Distribution: $2,834,041.21 ($50,505,014.57) received by the County since 2011).
Municipal Distribution: $4,851,014.48 ($77,142,775.04 received by County municipalities since 2011).
Sullivan:
County Distribution: $480,388.15 ($6,884,782.54) received by the County since 2011).
Municipal Distribution: $809,578.63 ($11,661,831.69 received by County municipalities since 2011).
Tioga:
County Distribution: $2,420,042.27 ($43,013,091.53 received by the County since 2011).
Municipal Distribution: $4,249,061.90 ($73,743,141.57 received by County municipalities since 2011).
Union:
County Distribution: $31,137.69 ($509,069.01 received by the County since 2011).
*No municipal share
“By every measure, natural gas benefits all Pennsylvanians, state agencies and services provided by counties, townships and boroughs across the Commonwealth,” said Marcellus Shale Coalition president David Callahan. “This economic progress is occurring alongside significant environmental gains as well, with the increased use of natural gas driving substantial air quality improvements.”
Pennsylvania is the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer behind Texas. Since 2011, the Impact Fee has generated more than $2.7 billion in tax revenue to support county and local governments. Sen. Yaw’s District has received nearly $480 million for counties and municipalities during that time.
The Impact Fee is assessed on natural gas companies, in addition to regular business taxes paid by the companies. The disbursements are based on a formula established in Act 13 of 2012 to ensure communities that are affected by natural gas drilling receive their fair share of funding for projects like road and bridge repairs, housing, and other local infrastructure needs.
Beyond monies being sent directly to local governments, revenue from impact fees have funded a wide variety of projects in the region including the rehabilitation of the levee in the Borough of South Williamsport, Diahoga Trail Development and Cayuta Creek Bank Stabilization Project in Bradford County, the Muncy Creek Streambank Restoration and Protection Project and the Basin Street / Susquehanna Riverwalk Connection in Lycoming County and the Gregg Township Municipal Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade in Union County, just to name a few.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280