The state Public Utility Commission yesterday issued its annual report on Marcellus Shale impact fees, and the figures reflect the falling price of natural gas and the resultant drop in the number of working wells.
In Indiana County, the 2016 allocation will be $136,612, a decrease of $38,659 from the year before.
The largest allocation will go to Center Township, with six eligible horizontal wells generating $26,910 in impact fees. That’s off from last year’s allocation of $40,183. Cherryhill Township was second, with $22,637, down from $26,247. Others with allocations in the thousands of dollars – as compared to hundreds or less – were, in order, Green Township ($14,995); Young Township ($9,685); North Mahoning Township ($9,243); White Township ($7,806); and West Wheatfield Township ($7,806).
Washington, Susquehanna, and Bradford counties are the top three counties receiving impact fees this year. Indiana County is the seventh-highest in terms of road mileage impacted by shale drilling, at 1,089.
