Lawrence County To Receive Funding From Marcellus Drilling Impacts

HARRISBURG – Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) today announced nearly $353,000 in impact fees paid by Marcellus Shale drilling companies will benefit residents of the 9th Legislative District.

For the reporting year of 2022, natural gas producers paid nearly $279 million in impact fees statewide, for a total of $2.5 billion over the past 11 years. This is the most collected in a year in Pennsylvania.

“Our local governments welcome this annual funding, which goes toward important infrastructure projects and emergency response efforts,” said Brown. “The natural gas industry remains an important job generator for the local economy and should remain so many more years to come.”

The following impact fee revenue amounts were announced today by the state Public Utility Commission (PUC) for Lawrence County and eligible municipalities that are part of the district represented by Brown.

• Bessemer Borough – $2,062.
• Hickory Township – $6,178.
• Mahoning Township – $71,462.
• New Wilmington Borough – $3,457.
• Neshannock Township – $36,125.
• North Beaver Township – $53,161.
• Pulaski Township – $140,584.
• Shenango Township – $16,650.
• S.N.P.J. Borough – $161.
• South New Castle Borough – $1,481.
• Taylor Township – $2,924.
• Union Township – $10,866.
• Wilmington Township – $7,559.

Lawrence County will receive more than $381,000 million in funding.

Under Act 13 of 2012, impact fees are collected from the drilling companies with 60% returned to counties and municipalities affected by drilling. The rest of the money goes into a Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, a portion of which is provided to counties. The remaining funds are used by the state for emergency response planning, training and other activities; water, storm water, and sewer system construction and repair; infrastructure maintenance and repair; as well as statewide environmental initiatives.

Checks to municipalities are expected to be distributed in early July.