Brewster to propose energy extraction fee
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
A new plan to use revenue generated from an energy extraction tax to provide school funding, safety investments and environmental protection initiatives will soon be introduced by state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport.
“The ability to use a responsible energy extraction tax to fund worthwhile initiatives in education and environmental protection creates opportunities without undue burden on the industry,” Brewster said. “My plan not only invests revenue from a shale tax into basic education and school safety initiatives, it would also release millions to pay for new pipeline and safety inspectors, plus fund environmental cleanup.
“The plan would not affect the impact fee payments that now go to local governments.”
Brewster said his plan would place a 5 percent severance tax on the value of gas extracted at the wellhead. While the local impact fee would remain in place, gas drillers could deduct what they pay in impact fee monies against what severance taxes they owe.
To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Thursday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.
