Baker, Fritz Announce Millions in Natural Gas Impact Fees to Benefit Susquehanna County Residents

June 24, 2025

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) today announced Susquehanna County will receive $4.8 million in impact fees paid by Marcellus Shale drilling companies, and 40 municipalities within Susquehanna County will receive an additional $8.45 million.

“I strongly support the natural gas industry, and I’m pleased to see that natural gas drilling and subsequent impact fees are directly benefitting our local communities in Susquehanna County and across the Commonwealth,” said Fritz. “The natural gas industry has created new jobs and opportunities in our communities. This funding is another reminder of the importance of this industry in Pennsylvania, and our counties and municipalities are reaping the rewards as well.”

“From the beginning, I believed the growth of this industry—with the jobs and energy produced—must be balanced with money that would be used to advance community and conservation activities,” said Baker. “We are now seeing the benefits spread around the region for an array of locally identified priorities. This is our return on the substantial investment that companies make. I am confident that our local officials will put these funds to good purpose.”

The municipalities in Susquehanna County and their disbursements are as follows:  

  • Apolacon Township - $144,757.
  • Ararat Township - $62,785.
  • Auburn Township - $776,467.
  • Bridgewater Township - $600,196.
  • Brooklyn Township - $443,876.
  • Choconut Township - $88,524.
  • Clifford Township - $157,035.
  • Dimock Township - $459,006.
  • Forest City Borough - $98,264.
  • Forest Lake Township - $273,838.
  • Franklin Township - $182,761.
  • Friendsville Borough - $8,713.
  • Gibson Township - $354,076.
  • Great Bend Borough - $36,058.
  • Great Bend Township - $257,878.
  • Hallstead Borough - $63,350.
  • Harford Township - $457,012.
  • Harmony Township - $64,720.
  • Herrick Township - $82,266.
  • Hop Bottom Borough - $17,319.
  • Jackson Township - $347,955.
  • Jessup Township - $250,715.
  • Lanesboro Borough - $28,710.
  • Lathrop Township - $267,981.
  • Lenox Township - $325,878.
  • Liberty Township - $173,578.
  • Little Meadows Borough - $22,929.
  • Middletown Township - $138,890.
  • Montrose Borough - $75,773.
  • New Milford Borough - $44,740.
  • New Milford Township - $671,646.
  • Oakland Borough - $34,019.
  • Oakland Township - $78,501.
  • Rush Township - $396,806.
  • Silver Lake Township - $180,444.
  • Springville Township - $616,059.
  • Susquehanna Depot Borough - $79,833.
  • Thompson Borough - $14,289.
  • Thompson Township - $57,874.
  • Union Dale Borough - $16,445.

Under Act 13 of 2012, impact fees are collected from the drilling companies with 60% returned to counties and municipalities affected by drilling. The rest of the money goes into a Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, a portion of which is provided to counties. The remaining funds are used by the state for emergency response planning, training and other activities; water, storm water, and sewer system construction and repair; infrastructure maintenance and repair; as well as statewide environmental initiatives.

Nearly $165 million was generated statewide for the 2024 production year. Since impact fees went into effect in 2012 following the enactment of Act 13, nearly $2.9 billion has been returned to communities across Pennsylvania, according to the Public Utility Commission, the agency charged with collection. 

Checks to municipalities are expected to be distributed in early July.


Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Melissa Fox
717.260.6522
mefox@pahousegop.com
RepFritz.com / Facebook.com/RepFritz