February 14: What's Next For Pennsylvania's Drilling Impact Fee?

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 09:32

What's Next For Pennsylvania's Drilling Impact Fee?

Written by Scott Detrow, StateImpact Pennsylvania Reporter

Last night, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill overhauling Pennsylvania’s natural gas drilling regulations into law. The legislation, which takes effect in 60 days, places an “impact fee” on every well drilling for gas in the state’s Marcellus Shale formation, and will likely generate around $200 million this fall.

An impact fee or severance tax has been a major issue at the Capitol for more than three years. So now that it’s a done deal, and passed into law, what comes next?

This morning, we’ll answer your questions about the new fee by talking to three people involved in different aspects of drilling. Today’s guests:

-Myron Arnowitt of Clean Water Action

-Mike Knapp, of drilling consulting firm Knapp Acquisitions

-Doug Hill, the executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

Listen to the program:

Published in Smart Talk

comments

# Chris Wagman 2012-02-14 10:00

For the portion of the impact fees that flow to the Commonwealth, do the monies go to the general fund or does the law specify how the monies can or cannot be used by the Commonwealth? Thanks for the timeliness of this show!
Chris Wagman, York

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# Andy 2012-02-14 10:13

Could you explain why the main focus for many of the environmental groups has been against zoning, rather than the environmental provisions of the bill? Haven't there been many instances when environmental groups have argued for pre-emtion...for example for wind and solar and stormwater?

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# kman 2012-02-14 10:21

what mr. arnowitt has yet to acknowledge is how poorly local governments have used their planning and zoning powers--so much so many people think we should strip all powers from muncipalities and go with counties. why should we trust local governments now? what's changed?

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# Michael 2012-02-14 10:37

I turned the program off when Mr Knapp had to inform us of his great love for his fiance on Valentine's day. How self-centered, but then this is also the nature of the drilling industry along with arrogance. Tell it to your girlfriend in person Mr Knapp!

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# Lisa 2012-02-14 20:55

I don't believe it for one !minute that the impact fee is going to be a hardship for drillers. What about the hardships of some of these rural areas in dealing with the influx of out of town single men and major increases in road maintenance costs due to increased traffic? What about the hardships of those who can no longer use their only source of water? What about the environmental damage to our woods seeing as how permits are never rejected? Go cry a river somewhere else! About damn time we charged an impact fee.

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