Pennsylvania Lawmaker Thinks Fees On Marcellus Shale Drillers Unavoidable
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The top Republican in the Pennsylvania Senate has rolled out his long-awaited proposal to impose fees on natural gas drillers in the state's Marcellus Shale region.
State Senate president pro tem Joe Scarnati says because it's a fee and not a tax, and does not provide for exemptions or deductions, it would actually raise more money than the natural gas extraction tax considered last year by the GOP.
On a conference call today with reporters, Scarnati (right) said he's tried to craft a bill that will fit the governor's no-tax parameters -- but also said this:
"I cannot see how we get a state budget done with the cuts that are coming, without bringing some dollars from this industry. I can't see how we get the process done, and I don't know how we can be straight-faced (without imposing fees)."
Scarnati's proposal would designate revenue for counties and local municipalities impacted by drilling, for state conservation districts, and for roads and environmental clean-up. Scarnati says he'd like to see counties and municipalities get 60 percent of the revenue pie.
Reported by KYW Harrisburg Bureau chief Tony Romeo
