Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre), Majority Chair of the House Finance Committee, today announced he will hold several informational meetings to study in depth various legislative proposals to enact impact fees on Marcellus shale natural gas drilling wells.
"There are a number of proposals on the table and residents across the Commonwealth have taken an active interest in this issue," Rep. Benninghoff said. "The Marcellus shale is a significant natural gas energy resource that covers 54 of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. It is and will continue to play an important economic role in our Commonwealth's future. We need to make sure we handle this issue intelligently and responsibly."
The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, in Lycoming County. Benninghoff said the first meeting was scheduled to take place before Gov. Tom Corbett's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission issues its report.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held at the Lycoming County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources facility located at 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road in Waterville.
At the first hearing, legislators who have introduced bills to enact impact fees on Marcellus shale drilling sites will be given an opportunity to address the committee and explain their proposals. It also will help define how private leases by the landowners with the gas drilling companies may be affected.
"We want to have a public discussion and lay everything out on the table," Rep. Benninghoff said. "There are a variety of different proposals that have either been introduced or are in the works. This will be a good opportunity to do some fact finding and dispel any myths regarding the legislation."
Rep. Benninghoff said his office will release additional information about the specific times, dates and locations for future meetings as they become available.
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