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Rep. Quinn To Introduce SIMPLER Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Bill
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Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) announced this week said plans to introduce a Marcellus Shale impact fee bill called SIMPLER-- Shale Impact Mitigation Policy for Local, Environment and Roads. "While Pennsylvania benefits from the economic engine that the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry has become, it is imperative that our local governments have the resources to address the impact that comes with this industry, and ensure that funds are in place to protect our environment," said Rep. Quinn in her invitation to fellow House members to co-sponsor the bill.
The bill would impose a graduated impact fee on Marcellus Shale natural gas wells: Years 1-2: $50,000, Years 3-4: $45,000, Years 5-6: $40,000, Years 7-8: $35,000, Years 9-10: $30,000, Years 11-12: $25,000, Years 13,14: $20,000, Years 15 thru 20: $15,000 and Years 21 and thereafter: $10,000.
Rep. Quinn would allocate 55 percent of the revenue to local governments and county conservation districts, 25 percent to the environment and 20 percent to the Motor License Fund. More specifically:
-- 50 percent would be deposited in a Local Government Shale Impact Mitigation Fund to be split equally between host municipalities and counties in drilling affected areas. Municipalities could use the funds for road and bridge construction, stormwater and wastewater systems and for the preservation and reclamation of surface, underground waters and water supplies;
-- 5 percent would be dedicated to county conservation districts;
-- 25 percent would be deposited in an Environmental Shale Mitigation Fund. Revenues could be used to fund Growing Greener Projects through the Environmental Stewardship Fund and a portion would go to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund; and
-- 20 percent would go to the Shale Impact Road and Bridge Account within the Motor License Fund to pay for state road and bridge infrastructure projects.
"I believe this is a common sense, balanced approach to address the variety of issues our local governments and communities are experiencing," said Rep. Quinn. "It will address the impact on our infrastructure and environment, yet not stifle the growth of this industry."
Rep. Quinn can be contacted through her website.
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5/30/2011 |
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