HARRISBURG – The Impact Fee on unconventional natural gas wells will deliver nearly $272,000 to Somerset County, according to Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) and Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-69).
Impact Fees are levied in addition to regular business taxes paid by every corporation in Pennsylvania. The disbursements were based on a formula established in Act 13 of 2012 to ensure communities affected by drilling receive their fair share of funding for projects such as road and bridge repairs, housing and other infrastructure needs.
Somerset County will receive $154,096 and the county’s local governments will receive $117,700.
“Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry benefits communities all over the state because the Impact Fee helps to fund projects that make the state a more enjoyable place to live – and every Impact Fee dollar is one that doesn’t come out of the taxpayers’ pockets,” Stefano said.
With the 2022 distribution, the natural gas industry, which provides thousands of family-sustaining jobs, has paid $3.4 million in impact fees to Somerset County since 2012.
“As a strong supporter of the natural gas industry, I’m pleased to see the impact fees benefit communities in Somerset County and beyond,” said Metzgar. “This will provide ample opportunity to our municipalities to swiftly address growing concerns.”
A complete list of disbursements to counties and municipalities is available on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us.
CONTACT: Jake Gery