Across Pennsylvania, the effects of Marcellus shale drilling can be seen in many counties. Through Act 13, the state’s impact fee passed in 2012, townships have been able to repair roads affected by heavy truck traffic to and from well sites, as well as other projects that weren’t financially able to complete before. The impact fee provides for the impact from unconventional gas wells.

According to Penn State Extension, some townships are concerned that if Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed severance tax on oil and gas shale drillers is passed, the impact fee will cease to exist.

You can read the original report from Jill M. Ercolino here, which details the improvements that townships across Pennsylvania have been able to accomplish through impact fee money.

Read more: Penn State Extension > Natural Gas Impact Fee Brings Hope to Struggling Townships