Townships Applaud Release of Gas Impact Fee Funds

Member Group : News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ginni Linn, Director of Communications, Pa. State Association of Township Supervisors, Enola, Pa., (717) 763-0930 (office), (717) 805-3588 (cell), [email protected].

Townships Applaud Commonwealth for Timely Release
of Natural Gas Impact Fee Funds

The following statement was issued today by David Sanko, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, which represents the 1,454 townships of the second class across Pennsylvania. Townships, in turn, represent more residents — 5.5 million Pennsylvanians — than any other type of political subdivision in the commonwealth and cover 95 percent of the commonwealth’s land mass.
"On behalf of the PSATS Executive Board and our member townships, we applaud the Public Utility Commission’s timely posting and impending distribution of the natural gas impact fees collected in 2013 to local governments. These impact fees mean that residents will not be burdened with the local infrastructure costs associated with this great economic opportunity.
"The local impact fees have provided more than $600 million for projects in every corner of the commonwealth since 2012. This funding has been a game-changer for municipalities.
"More than 60 percent of the collected funds go directly to communities most impacted by drilling, with those hosting the most wells receiving the largest checks. And today, municipalities are using the revenues for a range of eligible projects – from road and bridge infrastructure and public safety to environmental programs and planning for the future. All of these investments directly benefit the citizens and businesses impacted by the energy industry.
"The arrival of the impact fee signaled a new day in Pennsylvania, one where we turned away from a past when natural resource booms destroyed communities and no tools were provided for recovery. Moving forward, the new jobs and expanded economic opportunities must continue. At the same time, the industry should continue to partner with local governments and pay for the impacts it is causing, now and in the future."
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A complete listing of funding can be obtained by clicking on this link: {L]http://www.puc.state.pa.us/NaturalGas/pdf/MarcellusShale/Act13-2013_County_Municipality_Disbursements.pdf[EL]

Ginni Linn
Director of Communications
Editor, Pa. Township News
Pa. State Assn. of Twp. Supervisors
4855 Woodland Drive
Enola, PA 17025
Phone: (717) 763-0930
Fax: (717) 763-9732
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.psats.org
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