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News Regional & State News No go on natural gas drilling impact fee
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 18:25

No go on natural gas drilling impact fee

Written by  Mary Wilson

(Harrisburg) -- State House Republicans say they will not pursue a natural gas drilling impact fee or severance tax before the summer recess. After talk of three different amendments to attach an impact fee to a standing proposal before the House, the Republicans signaled a reversal. The call to stand down came after Governor Corbett again drew a line in the sand: that he won’t talk impact fee until he gets the final report from his appointed Marcellus Shale Impact Commission led by Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley. "I’m going to be supporting the work of my lieutenant governor. I have sent the message back-- if something gets to my desk, it will be vetoed," he says. Senate President Pro Temp Joe Scarnati introduced a drilling impact fee bill and has said passing a budget would be tough without also passing a fee on drillers. But his top aide acknowledges pushing a fee in the House now would be a poor use of time. The House Republicans say they’ll revisit the Marcellus Shale issue in the fall, after they get a report from the lieutenant governor. House Democrats have said the proposed amendments only gave the illusion that House Republicans were serious about passing an impact fee, given the Governor’s promise of a veto.

Last modified on Wednesday, 29 June 2011 04:41

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