Independent Fiscal Office: 2025 Act 13 Shale Gas Impact Fee Revenue Estimate $239.9 Million, Up $75.3 Million From Last Year

The Independent Fiscal Office estimates the 2025 Act 12 shale gas impact fee will generate $239.9 million-- $75.3 million more than the 2024 fee revenue-- $164.6 million, primarily due to the 51% increase in the price of natural gas over the last year.

In addition to the increasing price of natural gas, the IFO said the number of new wells drilled in 2025 increased by about 141-- a 46% increase over 2024.  New wells pay the highest fee set in Act 13.

The increase in revenue is welcome, because revenue had also been down in 2023 to $179.6 million, off the record revenue in 2022-- $278.9 million-- putting a hole in county and municipal budgets across the state.

The proceeds from the per well fee will be collected in April 2026 and distributed by the Public Utility Commission in July.

Visit the PUC Act 13 Impact Fee webpage for more information on distributions.

Click Here for a copy of the report.

Conventional oil and gas well owners do not pay this fee.

Resource Link:

-- Independent Fiscal Office: Quarterly PA Natural Gas Production Up 5.1% From Last Year; Natural Gas Price Up 51.4%  [PaEN] 

[Posted: December 8, 2025]  PA Environment Digest