UPDATED: Local Impact Fee Bill Moves to Senate

The state Senate’s environmental committee today voted unanimously to send a bill that addresses local impact fees for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling to the floor.

State Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, said he was one of the 11 yes votes on the committee.

In the bill's current form, drillers would be charged a fee of $10,000 or more per well, depending on production and gas prices, while a recent amendment changed that to include a 10-year fee schedule. That tiered schedule would begin at $40,000 and drop to the $10,000 figure by the fourth year, where it would remain.

But Solobay added the language in this version would likely change.

"The key is that the process is still very fluid and finally the Senate is starting to move," he said.

Solobay later added: “I think there is still room for the details and the small print to be negotiated as we move the budget forward. What’s important is that we begin the public debate and make some progress.”

A full copy of the bill can be accessed here.

Editor's Note: Check back with Canon-McMillan Patch for more details.