Local
governments now know how much money they’ll get this year as a result of the
“impact fee” on shale gas drilling. Potter County’s allotment is $226,437 — up
by $36,000 from the 2016 and close to the amount received in 2015. The county
will receive another $25,000 that can be used only for certain environmental
and/or recreational projects. At the local level, top recipients are West Branch
Township at $53,687; Sweden Township, $39,329; Eulalia Township, $31,570; and
Clara Township, $26,743.
Other Potter County municipal allotments are: Abbott, $6,261; Allegany,
$22,756; Austin, $3,702; Bingham, $8,292; Coudersport, $14,761; Galeton, $6,872;
Genesee, $6,936; Harrison, $13,184; Hebron, $8,517; Hector, $9,254; Homer,
$4,843; Keating, $17,171; Oswayo Borough, $582; Oswayo Township, $5,162; Pike,
$3,369; Portage, $1,362; Roulette, $8,491; Sharon, $9,535; Shinglehouse, $3,162;
Stewardson, $1,708; Summit, $22,846; Sylvania, $9,170; Ulysses Borough, $3,886,
Ulysses Township, $14,970; and Wharton, $18,217.
Amount of each allocation is based on gas production that took place in 2016.
Separate shale gas impact fee allotments will go to County Conservation
Districts, Pa. Conservation Commission, PUC, DEP, Fish and Boat Commission,
Emergency Management Agency, Dept. of Transportation and Office of State Fire
Commissioner.
Under Act 13, 60 percent of the total fees collected go to counties and local
governments and 40 percent to the state. The state’s portion is to be used for
emergency response planning, training and other activities; water, storm water,
and sewer system construction and repair; infrastructure maintenance and repair;
as well as environmental initiatives. County and local governments can use the
funds for preservation and reclamation of water supplies; improvements to local
roads and bridges; construction and repair of water and sewer systems; delivery
of social services; local tax reduction; housing; conservation districts;
emergency preparedness and flood plain management.
The 60 percent of the fees not retained by the state are distributed as
follows: 36 percent to county governments with wells subject to the fee; 37
percent for host municipalities with wells subject to the fee; and 27 percent
for all local governments in counties with wells. Both the PUC and the Pa. Dept.
of Environmental Protection have posted information about the Act 13 impact fee
and related topics on their websites.
Courtesy of Potter County Today
