Northern Tier News

Bradford County and its municipalities will share nearly $12 million in impact fee revenue derived from natural gas producers in Pennsylvania during 2023, according to Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) and Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).

Bradford County received more than $4.3 million, while Bradford County municipalities collectively received more than $7.6 million.

“Act 13 continues to deliver for residents and municipalities in the Northern Tier,” said Pickett. “As long as drilling is occurring, impact fee revenue will help our local governments deal with the effects caused by the activity in their communities.”

“The impact fee plays a vital role in helping our communities address the impacts of drilling while also benefitting from the jobs the industry creates,” Owlett said. “I am pleased to see this funding coming back home instead of being doled out by Harrisburg.”

“The impact fee funds a number of critical projects in Bradford County and a wide variety of important environmental projects in communities throughout the state,” Yaw said. “The natural gas industry has been a great partner in creating new jobs and opportunities, and this announcement is another reminder of the importance of this industry in Pennsylvania.”

The lawmakers noted that Bradford County, with 1,665 wells, ranked third in terms of impact fees received, behind Washington and Susquehanna counties.

Nearly $180 million was generated statewide for the 2023 production year. Since impact fees went into effect in 2012 following the enactment of Act 13, more than $2.7 billion has been returned to communities across Pennsylvania, according to the PUC, the agency charged with collection. Sixty percent of the total impact fee revenue is divided among municipalities with drilling activity, while the remaining 40% is collected for statewide uses through the Marcellus Legacy Fund. Local counties also see a share of that revenue.

Bradford County projects supported by the Marcellus Legacy Fund include the former Camptown School recreational master plan, the Cayuta Creek bank stabilization project, the Parks Master Plan and Diohoga Trail Development Phase III.

Bradford County has received more than $75 million in impact fees since the law was enacted, while Bradford County municipalities have collectively received nearly $129 million.

For a breakdown of impact fee revenue by municipality, visit here and click on “County and Municipality Disbursement.”

Representative Tina Pickett

110th Legislative District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Andy Briggs

717-260-6474

abriggs@pahousegop.com

RepPickett.com / Facebook.com/RepPickett