Causer, Gabler Vote 'Yes' on
Marcellus/Utica Shale Impact Bill
HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) issued the following statement regarding his “yes” vote on House Bill 1950, the Marcellus/Utica Shale Impact bill.
“My top priority with any impact fee bill has always been to ensure that the bulk of the money stays local. Under House Bill 1950, a full 75 percent of money generated by any impact fees enacted by a county stay in that county and its municipalities to maintain local roads and bridges, preserve and protect water supplies, and enhance emergency preparedness and public safety.
“The remaining 25 percent of impact fee revenue will be sent to the Commonwealth, but it is primarily set aside for infrastructure, environmental protection and public safety initiatives in regions where drilling is taking place. I believe this is an appropriate way to invest impact fee dollars.
“It was also important that any impact fee measure adopted by the House not put the state at a competitive disadvantage with other Marcellus Shale gas-producing states. The fee established by this legislation, along with our existing tax structure, ensures the drilling industry can continue to grow and create jobs in our region.
“To strike the right balance between environmental protection and economic development, the bill also boosts regulation to ensure the protection of our water supply. Specifically, it increases setback requirements to keep gas wells a safe distance from streams, water wells and public water supplies.
“While the proposal initially sought to preempt all local zoning laws relative to drilling, the bill that ultimately passed the House preserves those local zoning rights. This initiative earned the support of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
“The bill that passed the House is still a work in progress and differs significantly from what is contained in Senate Bill 1100, which was adopted by the state Senate earlier this week. We must now work to address these differences before a final bill can be sent to the governor’s desk.”
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11/17/2011 HARRISBURG – Thursday’s vote on House Bill 1950, which would give counties the option of imposing a natural gas well impact fee and modernizes Pennsylvania’s laws by improving the standards that unconventional gas drillers must meet, passed the House today with support from state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk). The bill will now be taken up by the state Senate.
Gabler issued this statement following the vote:
“House Bill 1950 creates a reasonable impact fee that compensates local communities and pays for government services related to gas development. It does not grow government by sending funds from our local industry back to Harrisburg to be spent in places such as Philadelphia that do not have gas development.
“This bill increases environmental standards on unconventional gas wells across the state to modernize Pennsylvania’s current outdated Oil and Gas Act. It allows local municipalities to retain control while setting reasonable standards that protect jobs.
“The bill that we passed strikes a reasonable compromise that ensures drilling companies pay their fair share, while protecting the rights of local landowners and keeping Pennsylvania's jobs climate competitive.”
“My top priority with any impact fee bill has always been to ensure that the bulk of the money stays local. Under House Bill 1950, a full 75 percent of money generated by any impact fees enacted by a county stay in that county and its municipalities to maintain local roads and bridges, preserve and protect water supplies, and enhance emergency preparedness and public safety.
“The remaining 25 percent of impact fee revenue will be sent to the Commonwealth, but it is primarily set aside for infrastructure, environmental protection and public safety initiatives in regions where drilling is taking place. I believe this is an appropriate way to invest impact fee dollars.
“It was also important that any impact fee measure adopted by the House not put the state at a competitive disadvantage with other Marcellus Shale gas-producing states. The fee established by this legislation, along with our existing tax structure, ensures the drilling industry can continue to grow and create jobs in our region.
“To strike the right balance between environmental protection and economic development, the bill also boosts regulation to ensure the protection of our water supply. Specifically, it increases setback requirements to keep gas wells a safe distance from streams, water wells and public water supplies.
“While the proposal initially sought to preempt all local zoning laws relative to drilling, the bill that ultimately passed the House preserves those local zoning rights. This initiative earned the support of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
“The bill that passed the House is still a work in progress and differs significantly from what is contained in Senate Bill 1100, which was adopted by the state Senate earlier this week. We must now work to address these differences before a final bill can be sent to the governor’s desk.”
~~~~~
11/17/2011 HARRISBURG – Thursday’s vote on House Bill 1950, which would give counties the option of imposing a natural gas well impact fee and modernizes Pennsylvania’s laws by improving the standards that unconventional gas drillers must meet, passed the House today with support from state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk). The bill will now be taken up by the state Senate.
Gabler issued this statement following the vote:
“House Bill 1950 creates a reasonable impact fee that compensates local communities and pays for government services related to gas development. It does not grow government by sending funds from our local industry back to Harrisburg to be spent in places such as Philadelphia that do not have gas development.
“This bill increases environmental standards on unconventional gas wells across the state to modernize Pennsylvania’s current outdated Oil and Gas Act. It allows local municipalities to retain control while setting reasonable standards that protect jobs.
“The bill that we passed strikes a reasonable compromise that ensures drilling companies pay their fair share, while protecting the rights of local landowners and keeping Pennsylvania's jobs climate competitive.”
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