Corbett promises to guard resources, but rejects taxing Marcellus drilling
Share with others:
HERSHEY -- Gov. Tom Corbett vowed Monday that he will not allow natural gas drillers to "poison the water," while also restating his case against imposing a tax on the state's booming industry.
He gave a detailed defense of his opposition to a gas severance tax during his remarks to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' annual gathering. As he brought up the subject of Marcellus Shale drilling, one woman in the audience shouted, "They're poisoning our water!"
Mr. Corbett replied that he will not let that happen, adding to the ballroom packed with township officials that oversight of the industry should be "based on science, not emotion."
Speaking to reporters afterward, the governor again said he believes that drilling has impacted communities. But any locally assessed fee should be done in a way that does not encourage companies to invest elsewhere, he said.
"I will protect the environment, but I will help grow an industry that is hiring Pennsylvanians and giving hope," Mr. Corbett said.
Shortly after the governor's remarks, David Sanko, the association's executive director, said the group is continuing to push for some form of tax or fee to help localities manage their costs. Senate Republicans are working on a measure to authorize a local impact fee.
A handful of southwestern township supervisors gave varying descriptions of the impacts they've seen, and the willingness of drillers to mitigate those impacts. During a well-attended morning session on local drilling issues, many pointed to road maintenance amid heavy truck traffic as their biggest problem.
Communication between companies and government on road-repair issues is easier in an area like Washington County's Chartiers, where Range Resources is the sole drilling company, said township supervisor Harlan Shober. He said Range recently paid $10 million to fix 13.5 miles of the township's roads, allowing him to make more repairs than their local budget would have covered.
First Published April 19, 2011 12:00 am
