10/15/2012                           

                                HARRISBURG – The three local counties that make up the 17th Legislative District will share more than nearly $269,000 in proceeds from an impact fee on drilling-related activities in the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation, said Rep. Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Mercer/Lawrence).
“Impact fee revenue is specifically intended to be used to help local governments and residents – including townships, boroughs and counties – address any impacts caused by Marcellus Shale drilling activity,” Brooks said. “In addition to local impacts, revenue is also directed to counties statewide, along with a number of state agencies, to deal with indirect impacts, improve water and sewer infrastructure, protecting water resources, train emergency responders, and help encourage natural gas technologies.”
As outlined in Act 13 of 2012, impact fees were authorized by counties in which drilling is taking place. Sixty percent of the revenue paid by drilling companies are directed to the Commonwealth for distribution to various counties and state agencies, whereas the remaining 40 percent is distributed to affected counties and municipalities.
Locally, Crawford County will receive $75,308; Mercer County will receive $98,955; and Lawrence County will receive $94,959. Local share revenue can be used for a multitude of uses, including tax reductions, water and sewer systems, road and bridge repairs, delivery of social services and training for local workers to obtain jobs in the oil and gas industry.
Brooks noted that this legislation was designed to protect private property rights and implement new safety standards within the industry, while also including accountability measures for the drilling companies.
The impact fee, which ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 per actively producing well, is being collected by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). In total, more than $197.6 million has been collected by the PUC to date, and that amount is expected to reach $205 million by the end of 2012. The totals exceed the initial projections of $180 million.
State Representative Michele Brooks 17th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton jkeaton@pahousegop.com 717.705.2094

So she does't get it? How about the impact that this is having in a positive way. Millions of dollars and thousands of jobs for the community. This money will no doubt be wasted on political pork. Take from the landowner and give to the government. It doesn't matter at what level of government it goes, it is still a tax on the landowner who already is going to pay up to 35% fed, 3.07 to state, and 1% to local. Hey Michele why don't you stop by and take my blood!!!!!!