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Local governments across the Commonwealth are benefiting from natural gas and the state's unique natural gas impact fee. Every year, whether drilling takes place within its borders or not, each county in the state is allocated a portion of the annual revenues generated from the fee, which is a tax, on natural gas wells. This is a guaranteed line of funding that local governments have come to rely on to fund a multitude of important projects. The law that put the impact fee into place specifically spells out what the funds directed toward local governments can be used for - including sewer and infrastructure upgrades, road and bridge repairs, flood mitigation, equipment for emergency services, as well as improvements to public parks and greenspaces.
But the utilization of the funds doesn't stop there. Based on a fair formula, the impact fee revenues are also supporting statewide greenways, environmental projects and infrastructure improvements.
The natural gas impact fee is one of those rare taxes on industry or businesses that taxpayers can actually see how the funds are being used to improve communities across the entire state. The natural gas impact fee is being used to make Pennsylvania better now and for future generations.
GEORGE MILAKOVIC
Harrisburg
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom