62nd District to Receive Over $235,000 from Marcellus Shale Impact Fees, Struzzi Says

June 27, 2019

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) today announced that municipalities in the 62nd District will receive $237,731.80 from the 2019 distribution of the Act 13 unconventional natural gas impact fees, otherwise known as Pennsylvania’s unconventional natural gas drilling tax. These fees are taken from revenue from natural gas drilling activities in the Marcellus Shale. Distribution of revenue will take place on or before July 1.

A total of 60% of these funds are allocated to the Unconventional Gas Well Fund, which is distributed to municipalities with wells. These funds would be used for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure, public safety services, environmental programs, preservation of water supplies, tax reductions, social services, judicial services, career and technical training, accessible housing projects, and records management.

The remaining 40% of funds are allocated to the Marcellus Legacy Fund, which is distributed to all counties, regardless of the presence of wells within its borders. These funds would be used for environmental initiatives and infrastructure projects.

“As a strong supporter of the natural gas industry, I’m happy to see that natural gas drilling and subsequent impact fees are directly benefitting our local communities in Indiana County and across the Commonwealth,” said Struzzi. “Not only do our economy and our workers see positive impacts from natural gas drilling, but our counties and municipalities are reaping the rewards as well.”

Pennsylvania’s Impact Fee, passed in 2012, has contributed massively to preserving the natural environment and providing communities with the resources necessary to do their jobs. To date, approximately $1.7 billion has been paid to counties and municipalities via these fees. This year’s payments account for $252 million of these funds, representing the largest year-over-year increase since the act’s passage.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission website, www.puc.state.pa.us and use the search function to search Act 13 Impact Fee.

Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Kevin DiGuiseppe
717.260.6419 (office), 610.937.4679 (cell)
Kdiguiseppe@pahousegop.com
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