HARRISBURG – The impact fee on unconventional natural gas wells will deliver more than $180,000 through Pennsylvania’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program to benefit two Westmoreland County communities, according to Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Reps. Abby Major (R-60) and Leslie Rossi (R-59).
The following grants were approved at the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) meeting on January 16, 2024:
- $108,757 for improvements to Lower Burrell City’s Burrell Lake Park (basketball court upgrades) and Kotecki Park (trail improvements).
- $71,337 for a park improvement project in the Borough of New Florence, designed to give residents and visitors with a quality outdoor recreation experience.
“These improvement projects will be an asset to our local communities, and I’m pleased to have advocated for this state funding,” Pittman said. “For more than a decade now, the revenues from the impact fee on natural gas have helped not just areas in which the gas is collected, but all of Pennsylvania.”
“I’m proud to lend my support to this project,” Major said of the Lower Burrell improvements. “This will enhance recreational opportunities for Lower Burrell residents and visitors by providing an outlet for people to get outside and exercise. A healthy community contributes to an area’s vitality.”
“These projects will be a great benefit to residents and include enhancements to our parks and infrastructure,” Rossi said. “It is imperative that we invest in communities that make up the 59th District because it will attract business growth, provide jobs, tourist attractions and outdoor activity. I support every effort possible to rejuvenate our area so it can be a place where people want to live, work, play and be educated.”
Impact fees are levied in addition to regular business taxes paid by every corporation in Pennsylvania. The disbursements were based on a formula established in Act 13 of 2012 to ensure communities affected by drilling receive their fair share of funding, authorized by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through various state programs, for projects such as road and bridge repairs, housing and other infrastructure needs.
Media Contacts:
Kate Eckhart Flessner (Sen. Pittman)
Tracy Polovick (Rep. Major)
Rick Leiner (Rep. Rossi)