2019 County, Municipal Fee Distribution Surpasses $48 Million for 23rd Senatorial District
HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) today announced that his Senatorial District, consisting of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties, will receive over $48 million in 2019 for natural gas impact fees paid during the 2018 calendar year.
According to figures released today by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), Senator Yaw’s District will receive $48,092,294.87 in unconventional gas well fee revenues generated during 2018. These distributions account for roughly 19 percent of the total $251,830,900 received by the PUC, who is responsible for imposing, collecting and distributing impact fees. This year’s distribution is approximately $7.9 million higher than last year.
“Over the past eight years, Bradford, Lycoming and Susquehanna counties again ranked among the highest recipients of Act 13 revenues,’ Sen. Yaw said. “The impact tax is working. In fact, our state tax brings in more money than the severance taxes in Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio & West Virginia combined. The benefit to my rural Senate district, and rural Pennsylvania as a whole, is immeasurable.”
Proceeds from the impact fees are distributed to counties and local governments, as well as state agencies, to provide for infrastructure upgrades, tax reductions, emergency services, environmental initiatives, housing, delivery of social services, judicial services and more.
23rd Senate District Fee(s):
Bradford County Disbursement:
County: $6,208,381.56
Municipal: $10,718,419.94
Total: $16,926,801.50
Lycoming County Disbursement:
County: $4,236,866.18
Municipal: $6,320,307.53
Total: $10,557,173.71
Sullivan County Disbursement:
County: $679,779.90
Municipal: $1,164,052.72
Total: $1,843,832.62
Susquehanna County Disbursement:
County: $7,184,542.26
Municipal: $11,579,944.78
Total: $18,764,487.04
Union County Disbursement: $48,552.62
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).
Act 13, 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 recent news releases visit www.senatorgeneyaw.com. Follow Sen. Yaw on Twitter – @SenatorGeneYaw, “Like” Senator Yaw’s Facebook Page for state-related information regarding the 23rd Senatorial District.
For more information, contact:
Nick Troutman
(717) 787-3280