Pennsylvania bill would levy fee on gas drilling

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new bill proposes a local impact fee on the extraction of natural gas.

Introduced by Pa. state Sen. Joseph Scarnati, R-25th, the proposed legislation, S.B. 1100, would earmark the funding to reimburse Pennsylvania’s counties and municipalities affected by drilling, statewide conservation efforts, as well as environmental and infrastructure projects.

“My main objective with this bill is to ensure our local municipalities, where drilling takes place, receive a fee to assist with road improvements, water and sewage issues, as well as other community enhancements,” Scarnati said in introducing the measure.

The proposed bill would impose a base fee of $10,000 for every drilling well, with that number increasing based on production and the price of natural gas.