Bernstine Announces Butler, Lawrence Counties Receiving Funding from Natural Gas Drilling Impact Fees

June 25, 2026

HARRISBURG - Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) today announced communities in the 8th Legislative District in Butler and Lawrence counties will receive nearly $1.4 million in Marcellus Shale impact fee revenue through the annual distribution approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

“These impact fees are a direct investment in our communities, helping to build stronger roads, improve infrastructure and support essential local services,” said Bernstine. “The natural gas industry continues to play an important role in strengthening our local economy and delivering real benefits back to taxpayers.”

The following impact fee revenue amounts were announced for Butler County municipalities in the 8th District:

  • Brady Township - $15,823.
  • Center Township - $162,041.
  • Clay Township - $50,082.
  • Connoquenessing Borough - $16,716.
  • Connoquenessing Township - $242,407.
  • Forward Township - $226,792.
  • Franklin Township - $45,081.
  • Lancaster Township - $141,365.
  • Middlesex Township - $127,899.
  • Muddy Creek Township - $63,852.
  • Penn Township - $168,144.
  • Pottersville Borough - $1,944.
  • Prospect Borough - $8,189.
  • West Liberty Borough - $5,999.
  • West Sunbury Borough - $1,148.
  • Worth Township - $34,900.

Butler County will receive more than $2.5 million in total impact fee revenue.

In Lawrence County, the following municipal allocations were announced:

  • Ellport Borough - $1,909.
  • Enon Valley Borough - $450.
  • Little Beaver Township - $23,236.
  • New Beaver Borough - $3,683.
  • Perry Township - $16,038.
  • Plain Grove Township - $3,283.
  • Scott Township - $4,650.
  • Slippery Rock Township - $8,143.
  • Wayne Township - $5,383.
  • Wampum Borough - $992.
  • Washington Township - $2,657.

Lawrence County will receive more than $304,000 in total impact fee revenue.

For the reporting year of 2025, natural gas producers paid almost $244 million in impact fees statewide, bringing the total distributed through the program to more than $3.12 billion since its inception in 2012.

Under Act 13 of 2012, impact fees are collected from drilling companies, with a significant portion returned directly to counties and municipalities affected by natural gas development. The remaining revenue supports the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund and statewide initiatives, including emergency response planning and training, water and sewer infrastructure improvements, environmental programs and transportation-related projects.



Representative Aaron Bernstine
8th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437 (office), 717.497.8478 (cell)
Rleiner@pahousegop.com