Act 13 Usage Reports

Act 13 Usage Reports

Act 13 was signed into law on February 14, 2012, and established the Unconventional Gas Well Fund. Unconventional Gas Well producers pay Impact Fees each year to the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) which are deposited into the Fund. PUC then distributes the Impact Fees to conservation districts, state agencies, and local governments. Impact Fee funds allocated to local governments may be used for thirteen expenditure categories associated with natural gas production from unconventional gas wells within the county or municipality as outlined in the law. The expenditure categories are as follows:

1. Construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of roadways, bridges and public infrastructure.
2. Water, storm water and sewer systems, including construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair.
3. Emergency preparedness and public safety, including law enforcement, and fire services, hazardous material response, 911, equipment acquisition and other services.
4. Environmental programs, including trails, parks and recreation, open space, flood plain management, conservation districts and agricultural preservation.
5. Preservation and reclamation of surface and subsurface waters and water supplies.
6. Tax reductions, including homestead exclusions.
7. Projects to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing to residents.
8. Records management, geographic information systems and information technology.
9. The delivery of social services.
10. Judicial sales.
11. Deposit into the municipality’s capital reserve fund if the funds are used solely for a purpose set forth in Act 13 of 2012.
12. Career and technical centers for training of workers in the oil and gas industry.
13. Local or regional planning initiatives under the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L. 805, No. 247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Act 13 Requirements

“Unconventional Gas Well Fund Usage Reports” are being submitted as required by PA PUC Act 13, Section 2314(h)(2), which states: “(2) All counties and municipalities receiving funds from the fund under this section shall submit information to the commission on a form prepared by the commission that sets forth the amount and use of the funds received in the prior calendar year. The form shall set forth that the funds received were committed to a specific project or use as authorized in this section. The reports shall be published annually on the county or municipality’s publicly accessible Internet website.”

To access the most current Act 13 Usage Report, click here.