Pennsylvania Property Owners Gain From Shale Gas Royalties, Despite Fracking Concerns
Property owners in Pennsylvania receive lease and royalty payments for mineral rights, unlike impact fees. A seminar held in 2014 discussed the local impacts of shale gas development, with concerns raised about frack fluid contamination and property values.
In Pennsylvania, impact fees fund statewide projects, with half returned to affected municipalities. The 'resource curse' is not evident in areas with high oil and gas activity, even in non-manufacturing sectors. Impact fees are fixed by the legislature or Department of Natural Resources, not based on environmental impacts.
A study found that Shale Gas wells in the USA typically involve between 890 and 1,340 truck trips per well. This calculation was repeated in several studies, with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) being the most cited source. The BLM estimated these trips based on typical construction processes, including transporting equipment and materials, water supply and disposal, and site dismantling. The range reflects varying geological conditions, well depths, and fracking intensity. Even sectors like the restaurant industry can benefit from the boom, with higher wages. In North Dakota, impact fees and severance taxes are levied on production, regardless of out-of-state shipment.
Property owners in Pennsylvania benefit from lease and royalty payments for mineral rights. The local impacts of shale gas development, including frack fluid contamination and property values, were discussed in a 2014 seminar. The 'resource curse' is not evident in high oil and gas activity areas. The calculation of truck trips per Shale Gas well, ranging from 890 to 1,340, is based on typical construction processes. The boom benefits various sectors, including those with higher wages. Impact fees and taxes in North Dakota are levied on production, regardless of out-of-state shipment.
