$48 million to be directed across 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).
“The Impact Fee not only funds critical projects locally, but also a wide variety of important environmental projects in communities throughout the state,” said Sen. Yaw, who serves as Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “The natural gas industry has been a great partner in creating new jobs and opportunities in our communities, and today’s announcement is another reminder of the importance of this industry in Pennsylvania.”
Approximately $234 million was distributed statewide in the most recent round of funding based on natural gas production in 2021. Of that, over $48 million will be sent back to Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties and municipal governments.
The disbursements announced Friday by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) include:
Bradford:
County Distribution: $5,872,470.61 (up from $3,396,291.30 in 2020; $63,823,945 received by the County since 2011.)
Municipal Distribution: $10,283,449.07 ($108,829,387 received by Bradford County municipalities since 2011.)
Lycoming:
County Distribution: $3,988,256.26 (up from $2,336,241.94 in 2020; $42,867,781 received by the County since 2011.)
Municipal Distribution: $6,210,203.8 ($64,899,809 received by Lycoming County municipalities since 2011.)
Sullivan:
County Distribution: $638,293.52 (up from $348,917.26 in 2020; $5,646,390 received by the County since 2011.)
Municipal Distribution: $1,090,299.32 ($9,549,135 received by Sullivan County municipalities since 2011.)
Susquehanna:
County Distribution: $7,241,245.26 (up from $4,048,393.43 in 2020; $60,023,730 received by the County since 2011.)
Municipal Distribution: $12,700,058.56 ($99,222,148 received by Susquehanna County municipalities since 2011.)
Union:
County Distribution: $44,423.85 (up from $26,321.86 in 2020; $427,117.85 received by the County since 2011. *No municipal share.)
Pennsylvania is the nation’s second largest natural gas producer behind Texas. Since 2011, the impact fee has generated more than $2.3 billion in tax revenue to support county and local governments. Sen. Yaw’s District has received over $450 million for counties and municipalities during that time period.
The Impact Fee is assessed on natural gas companies, in addition to regular business taxes paid by every corporation in Pennsylvania. 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 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 visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.