Pennsylvania’s natural gas impact fee is working well and truly benefiting the people that live here. The natural gas industry in Pennsylvania sustains tens of thousands of good jobs and contributes hundreds of millions of impact fee dollars to communities every year that have direct, positive results for the state’s residents.
It’s a simple concept, really – growth promotes growth. As the natural gas industry continues to thrive in Pennsylvania, residents benefit. Not only has the industry helped to solidify the commonwealth’s role as a global energy leader, but it has also helped to pay for local infrastructure and environmental projects throughout the state.
Impact fee revenues help fund critical local projects that strengthen our communities and enhance quality of life, making them vibrant places where people want to live, work, and put down roots. Equally important is the positive relationship between operators, contractors, and their neighbors. The men and women working in these industries are often members of the very communities they serve, and ongoing efforts to be good neighbors reflect a shared commitment to community well-being, mutual respect, and long-term success.
Luckily, the fee is structured in such a way to continue its long-term benefit. As new gas wells come online, they will generate impact fee revenues. This mutually beneficial relationship between the industry and the commonwealth prioritizes funding for our local communities.
As someone who previously worked in this industry and who continues to call this region home, I have a deep appreciation for the relationships that are at the heart of its success. I have seen firsthand the value of the connections, partnerships, and sense of community that the industry works so hard to foster and strengthen. Those relationships not only support economic growth but also help make our region a vibrant and thriving place to live, work, and build a future.
Kristy Budavich
Bridgeville
Publication: Warren County Observer-Reporterhttps://www.observer-reporter.com/opinion/letters/2026/jul/27/letters-to-the-editor-32/