Pennsylvania remains the largest U.S. state without a tax on natural gas production, thanks in part to a study released under the banner of the Pennsylvania State University. The 2009 report predicted drillers would shun Pennsylvania if new taxes were imposed, and lawmakers cited it the following year when they rejected a 5 percent tax… Read more
republicanherald.com/news/dcnr-to-collect-money-from-drillers-who-harvest-gas-under-public-streams-1.1324563 By Laura Legere (Staff Writer llegere@timesshamrock.com) Published: June 4, 2012 Natural gas drillers have to sign leases and compensate the state if they plan to collect gas trapped deep beneath publicly owned streams and rivers, according to a policy developed recently by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The policy applies to… Read more
www.marketwatch.com/story/pennsylvania-house-votes-sweetheart-deal-for-big-oil-and-gas-2012-02-08 Feb. 8, 2012 (Press Release) HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb 08, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) condemned the passage of the so-called “compromise” drilling bill, House Bill 1950, in the Pennsylvania House today, which passed by a 101 to 90 vote. PennFuture said the bill was fast tracked to near warp speed,… Read more
www.timesleader.com/news/Pa__GOP_to_seek_vote_on_drill_bill_02-06-2012.html February 6, 2012 Party has notified lawmakers that it hopes to hold votes on impact fee, regs this week. HARRISBURG — A final framework is at hand on sweeping legislation to impose an impact fee and update safety regulations on Pennsylvania’s booming natural gas industry, top Republican state lawmakers say. Republicans notified rank-and-file lawmakers… Read more
www.timesleader.com/news/Scarnati__Drilling_fee_legislation_near_01-31-2012.html January 31, 2012 HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s highest-ranking state senator said Monday he thinks an agreement on a sweeping bill to impose a fee on the booming natural gas drilling industry can be finished in a week, right before Gov. Tom Corbett unveils his budget plan. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said negotiators from… Read more
republicanherald.com/news/residents-challenge-drilling-legislation-1.1259054 BY ROBERT SWIFT (HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF) Published: January 18, 2012 HARRISBURG – A local resident referred to Dallas Township’s experience with Marcellus industry facilities Tuesday as a key reason to oppose impact fee legislation that would make the state attorney general referee in disputes over gas zoning ordinances. “Taking local zoning controls from municipalities… Read more
citizensvoice.com/news/drilling/a-standalone-marcellus-bill-moving-to-passage-1.1258401#axzz1jdK8S8y1 By Robert Swift (Staff Writer) Published: January 17, 2012 HARRISBURG – Marcellus Shale well operators would be required to provide sophisticated siting information and develop an emergency response plan under legislation moving close to final passage this week. The wellsite safety bill sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, is one of a few… Read more
citizensvoice.com/news/drilling/senate-gop-leader-sees-opportunity-to-resolve-impact-fee-impasse-1.1252681#axzz1iadrIwtO By Robert Swift (Harrisburg Bureau Chief) Published: January 4, 2012 HARRISBURG – A top Senate Republican leader sees a window of opportunity this month to resolve outstanding differences over Marcellus Shale impact fee legislation before state budget and election issues get in the way. Agreement on a combined impact fee and stronger environmental regulations… Read more
republicanherald.com/opinion/revised-data-good-case-for-severance-tax-1.1242950 Published: December 12, 2011 In its diligent effort to prevent the natural gas industry from paying a fair tax on the wealth it extracts from Pennsylvania, the Corbett administration often has overstated the positive impact of the industry. State agencies have overstated job creation and nonseverance tax revenue attributable to the industry as Gov.… Read more
standardspeaker.com/news/corbett-unveils-shale-proposal-1.1212610#axzz1ZowPSaWj By ROBERT SWIFT (Harrisburg Bureau Chief) Published: October 4, 2011 HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett threw a curveball into the Marcellus Shale impact fee debate Monday by proposing that individual counties take the responsibility for adopting an impact fee. The governor suggested a two-step process in which the state would approve enabling legislation setting… Read more
