Delaware County received more than $500,000 last year in drilling-impact fees from natural gas operators, writes Kathleen Carey for the Daily Times.

The fee, tied to wells and not pipelines, was created by the General Assembly’s passage of Act 13 in 2012. Every year, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission calculates the average sales price of natural gas. This price is combined with the age of a well to determine the impact fee.

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Every natural gas well is subject to an impact fee for 15 years, which reduces as the well ages. After the impact fee is calculated and collected, it is distributed by the PUC to county and municipal governments and state agencies.

“The tax revenues collected from the natural gas industry support local bridge, road, and other critical infrastructure improvements, as well as community parks, fire responders, soil and water conservation districts, environmental projects, and housing initiatives,” said David Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.

Read more about drilling-impact fees in the Daily Times by clicking here.

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