Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Opportunities=Jobs

There are numerous opportunities made possible through the growth of the Marcellus Shale industry in Pennsylvania. The recommendation from the Marcellus Shale Advisory Committee that an impact fee be imposed on the industry reinforced what I and many of my colleagues have been saying for several years now.

Hopefully, the recommendation as well as the overwhelming support for such an action by the public will finally result in some action by the Republican leadership in the Senate and House.

Many of the proposals that have been introduced provide that the funding be divided between the local municipality where the work is occurring and the Commonwealth for the services and work needed to support the industry. I believe that we must think more broadly and that by investing wisely that we can garner even more jobs from the opportunity. It is why I intend to offer an amendment to any legislation imposing a Marcellus Shale impact fee to provide that one-third of the funding be dedicated to our roads and bridges.

What can that accomplish? Well, first and foremost, the dedicated funding for road and bridges will result in immediate jobs. Based on projections from even a modest impact fee, a dedicated funding stream will create thousands of direct jobs and hundreds more between suppliers and other small businesses that will play a part in that work. These are jobs that are family-sustaining and can make a real impact in our region.

Secondly, by dedicating a portion of the funding for transportation projects, the proposed funding needs put forth by the Transportation Funding Advisory Commission will be less —and can relieve the burden of taxpayers to find ways to fund road and bridge repairs and improvements, or to shoulder additional costs that have been proposed.

With the recent reports issued by the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission and the Transportation Funding Advisory Commission, it is clear that the Commonwealth has needs related to both industries that could very well be beyond the capacity of Pennsylvania taxpayers. My approach takes this into account while providing job creation.

As I have written before, there are many important issues confronting the legislature this fall. As we discuss and debate the problems facing us, I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that creating and retaining good-paying jobs is part of any solution.