HARRISBURG – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) today announced that his Senatorial District, consisting of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties, will once again receive millions of dollars from the latest round of natural gas Act 13 ‘Impact Fee’ disbursements.
Senator Yaw’s Senate District will receive over $38 million in natural gas impact fee revenue this year, roughly 20 percent of the total $188 million received by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC), which administers the collection and disbursement of the fee.
“For the fifth year in a row, counties and local governments in my legislative district experiencing natural gas drilling are receiving needed financial support through Act 13 impact fee dollars,” Yaw said. “Bradford, Lycoming and Susquehanna counties ranked among the highest recipients of Act 13 revenues. “I cannot remember a time when millions of dollars were sent back to our local governments without a long, involved grant process.”
23rd Senate District Fee Breakdown:
Bradford County: Lycoming County:
County/Municipal Share/Legacy Share: County/Municipal Share/Legacy Share:
$13,540,911 $9,594,524
Sullivan County: Susquehanna County:
County/Municipal Share/Legacy Share: County/Municipal Share/Legacy Share:
$1,290,600 $14,042,547
Union County:
Legacy Share:
$35,358
Since Union County has no drilling it does not qualify for a share of the Impact Fee revenue; however, it does qualify for $35,358 through the Marcellus Legacy Fund Disbursement.
In addition to the revenue disbursement above, each county, including Union, will also be eligible for funding dedicated to the statewide share. Counties and municipalities will be able to apply for grants through the Environmental Stewardship Fund, for water and sewer projects through PennVEST and the H2O program and a variety of projects under the Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA).
The law, which amended Title 59 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and was signed by Governor Corbett on February 14, 2012, provides for the imposition of an unconventional gas well fee on drillers operating in the state. Funds generated by the impact fee go directly for local and state purposes. The law also contains a mechanism as to how the fees shall be distributed.
For a complete statewide county/municipal breakdown, visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s website.
For more information, contact:
Adam Pankake, Executive Director
(717) 787-3280