White's Marcellus Municipal Co-op to Hold Public Hearing on Local Impact Fees

on Wednesday said the will conduct a public hearing next month to solicit testimony on local impact. 

The hearing, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Canon-McMillan High School, will include testimony from Kathryn Klaburn, Marcellus Shale Coalition; Sharon Ward, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center; Elizabeth Stelle, Commonwealth Foundation; Andrew Heath, Renew Growing Greener Coalition; and a representative from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

The public is invited to attend the event, which will also include an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing.

"We want to raise awareness about and gather input on how this fee should be structured, because right now it’s the most politically feasible option for local municipalities to mitigate the impact from drilling," White, D-Cecil, said. "Gov. Corbett said he will not support a severance tax, but would consider an impact fee, which could pay for local infrastructure needs and environmental concerns, while still supporting the economic growth created by the natural gas industry."

White organized the MMC earlier this year, which is composed of 18 local municipalities spanning three counties, to work on issues related to the natural gas drilling of the Marcellus Shale.

Chartiers Township Supervisor and MMC member Rich Metzler said in a statement: "I look forward to hearing from industry leaders concerning their views and willingness to pay a local impact fee. The fee will provide a revenue source to sustain critical infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and public safety and health. A fee will also provide support for local strategic planning and systematic growth in our community."  

Cecil Township Supervisor Andy Schrader agreed.

"As a local official, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to have an open and public discussion on impact fees," Schrader added. "It is my understanding that the state legislature is taking up this issue in September, so now is the time to hear everyone’s views, ideas and concerns on the subject."

White noted that several local impact fee bills have been introduced in the legislature, including Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati’s S.B. 1100, and White’s own H.B. 1748, which eliminates the local ordinance preemption included in similar bills requiring municipalities to adopt a statewide model zoning ordinance to receive proceeds from the impact fee.  White said the hearing would focus on all proposals, allowing experts to share their thoughts on the best way to structure the fee.

"The Marcellus Shale boom is here and it’s real, but we must do everything possible to ensure that this natural resource is developed responsibly and that taxpayers do not have to pay for any impact caused by the drilling," White said. "We hope to learn from industry, environmental, and state and local government experts on the best and fairest way to do that."

More information about the co-op is available on his website, www.pahouse.com/White.