Press Release

PUC Announces $164.5 Million in Natural Gas Impact Fees for Pennsylvania Communities

Published on 6/23/2025

Filed under: Gas

More Than $2.88 Billion Distributed Since 2012 to Support Local Projects, Environmental Programs, and Infrastructure Across the Commonwealth

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced the distribution of $164,592,500 in natural gas impact fees collected from producers for the 2024 reporting year. This funding benefits counties, municipalities, and state programs under Act 13 of 2012, which established the unconventional gas well fee.

“The impact fee continues to provide significant and sustained support for Pennsylvania communities – especially those directly affected by natural gas development,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “More than a decade into Act 13, this funding continues to bolster local infrastructure, environmental projects, and public services across the Commonwealth.”

This year’s distribution brings the cumulative total of impact fees collected and distributed since 2012 to more than $2.88 billion.

Breakdown of the 2024 Impact Fee Distribution:

• $86.5 million to counties and municipalities directly affected by drilling activity.
  
  
• $57.7 million to the Marcellus Legacy Fund, which supports statewide environmental initiatives, greenways, and infrastructure projects.
  
  
• $20.4 million to state agencies, as directed by Act 13.

The PUC has submitted this year’s distribution data to the Pennsylvania Treasury, which is expected to begin issuing payments in early July.

Factors Affecting This Year’s Distribution

The 2024 distribution is approximately $15 million lower than last year’s total, due primarily to:

• A decrease in new wells spud in 2024 (314), compared to 421 in 2023.
  
  
• A similar average natural gas price in 2024 ($2.74 per MMBtu), which remained nearly unchanged from 2023.

Because new wells (“Year One” wells) are subject to the highest impact fee, fluctuations in their number can significantly affect annual collections.

Accessing Detailed Distribution Data

Extensive information about this year’s impact fees – including county- and municipality-level distributions, producer payments, and historical data since 2011 – is available on the PUC’s Act 13 website. 

Users can:

• Search individual distributions to counties and municipalities.
  
  
• Review how funds were used based on local government reporting.
  
  
• Download data by year or region.
  
  

Background on Act 13

The PUC administers the collection and distribution of impact fees on unconventional gas wells, as established by Act 13 of 2012, to ensure that communities across Pennsylvania receive support for infrastructure and environmental improvements linked to natural gas development.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov