Corbett says he'd support impact fee on drilling
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Gov. Tom Corbett
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HARRISBURG -- With Gov. Tom Corbett indicating he could support an impact fee on natural gas drillers, the burden now is on lawmakers to put together a plan.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the governor, who opposes a state-level tax on natural gas drilling, echoed previous statements from his staff that an impact fee that aids local governments is something he would consider.
"I would have to see what they would propose, and where the money would go," Mr. Corbett said. "Money just to the general fund? No. Money to the locals, money to the county? I'd sit down and listen to them."
Senate Republicans have been discussing an impact fee since talks on a severance tax fell apart last fall. They are in the process of crafting legislation that would determine how such a fee would work and where the money would go, said Drew Crompton, a top aide to Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson.
Mr. Scarnati has said he would prefer a method that would keep "the lion's share" of the funding for local governments, which he says are dealing with strains to their infrastructure, government services, and emergency response systems.
The senator also supports setting aside some funding for environmental programs like Growing Greener, as well as boosting safety regulations on the industry.
Mr. Corbett said alleviating impact on communities should be a topic of discussion for his new Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, who will lead that commission, previously had ruled out taxes and fees as agenda items.
"I understand there is an impact to the local communities, and I believe in some way, shape or form, we need to address that impact to the communities," Mr. Corbett said.
First Published March 24, 2011 12:00 am
