Act 13
Act 13 of 2012 (Impact Fee) was signed into law by Governor Corbett on Feb. 14, 2012.
Act 13/Impact Fee provides for the imposition of an unconventional gas well fee (also called an impact fee), and the distribution of those funds to local and state governments. Act 13/Impact Fee also contains provisions regarding how the impact fee may be spent. A significant portion of the funds collected will be distributed directly to local governments to cover the local impacts of drilling. Also, several state agencies will receive funding to be used for a variety of other purposes. For more information, see: https://www.puc.pa.gov/natural-gas/act-13-impact-fee/
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Act 13 Requirements
Act 13 of 2012 Section 2314(h)(2) states: All counties and municipalities receiving funds from the fund under this section shall submit information to the commission on a form prepared by the commission that sets forth the amount and use of the funds received in the prior calendar year. The form (PDF) shall set forth that the funds received were committed to a specific project or use as authorized in this section. The reports shall be published annually on the county or municipality's publicly accessible internet website.
Please see Pa Public Utility Commission Act 13 Reporting Requirements for Important Due Dates. The PUC offers electronic submittal of reports for municipalities as well as access to an Interactive Impact Fee Website. The interactive website allows users to better examine information related to the collection and distribution of the state's unconventional gas well Impact Fee. The website includes graphical data analysis including the top paying producers, well count breakdowns and top collecting counties, such as Washington County, and local governments. Impact Fee Usage Reports for municipal and county funds can accessed here.
Helpful Resources
Additional Questions?
Washington County Planning Commission (724) 228-6811
Penn State Cooperative Extension (724) 228-6881
