Region receives millions in natural gas impact fees
Fayette collecting $15.2 million
Washington, Fayette and Greene counties will receive a combined $38.9 million in impact fee money from natural gas drilling in 2025, according to figures released this week by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Of the $243.8 million that will be distributed to communities across the commonwealth, Washington County will be receiving $21.3 million, divided between county government and various municipalities. Greene County is receiving $15.2 million, and Fayette County will be collecting $15.2 million. Washington County tops the list of counties in Pennsylvania receiving impact fee money, followed by Susquehanna County. Greene was fourth in the tally.
The impact fee is paid by producers and flows to communities directly affected by gas drilling through the unconventional gas well fee established by Act 13 in 2012. The communities typically use the impact fee money for infrastructure, public safety, career centers and other long-term projects. Since 2012, $3.1 billion in impact fee money has been paid out, with $256 million going to Washington County, $176 million going to Greene County and $41 million going to Fayette County.
The cumulative total statewide is $79 million higher this year because of an increase in new wells in 2025 and a higher natural gas price.
Jim Welty, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, said in a statement, “From significant tax revenue and family sustaining jobs, to lower energy costs for consumers, Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry continues to provide measurable benefits to our commonwealth. Pennsylvania’s approach to distributing this tax is transparent and delivers revenue back into communities in all 67 counties. Everyone should appreciate the significant and lasting benefits the impact fee has provided to Pennsylvania.”
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, whose district includes all of Washington and Greene counties, said, “The natural gas industry continues to deliver substantial benefits to our region. … These funds allow communities to invest in critical local services, conservation programs and infrastructure projects that improve residents’ quality of life, all without placing additional costs on local taxpayers.”
In Washington County, $7.8 million will be going to the county and $13.4 million to municipalities. In Greene, $9.7 million is being sent to municipalities and $5.4 million to county government, and $1.4 million is going to Fayette municipalities while the county government is receiving $952,776.
Center Township in Greene County is second on the statewide list of municipalities receiving the most in impact-fee revenue, with $1.1 million. Amwell Township in Washington County is fifth, with $954,096, followed by Franklin Township in Greene with $949,087.