Board Approves Resolution to Support Marcellus Shale Tax

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved a resolution to support the efforts to implement a severance tax on Marcellus Shale gas extraction, and encouraged legislators to ensure that a portion of those funds are directed to the state's four resource agencies, including the Game Commission, to help fund the monitoring of the environmental impacts of the drilling processes.

"As the Pennsylvania Game Commission's financial position continues to weaken, the Board of Game Commissioners needed to take action to support the agency's mission and Marcellus Shale issues relating to the State Game Land System," said Board President James "Jay" Delaney.

Following is a copy of the resolution approved by the Board.

Resolution by the

Pennsylvania Game Commission Board of Commissioners

A resolution expressing the Pennsylvania Game Commission Board of Commissioners support for a Severance Tax on Marcellus Shale Gas by the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Whereas; Pennsylvania has the largest and most active deposit of Marcellus Shale Gas in the United States.

Whereas; by 2014, Pennsylvania is expected to produce 10% of all natural gas consumed in the United States

Whereas; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued 4,600 Marcellus Shale drilling permits of which at least 244 have been drilled and approximately 636 are currently being developed.

Whereas; Legislation is set for late September, early October to include a severance tax around 5% at wellhead production.

Whereas; Time being of the essence: 50% of gas produced from wells historically peaks during the first five years of production

Whereas; The Pennsylvania Game Commission would benefit from a minimum of 2.0% of the total revenues from a severance tax.

Whereas; In addition to the Commonwealth, many State and Local agencies as well as Pennsylvania resource agencies including Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have come forward in support of a severance tax in an effort to help fund the monitoring of the environmental impacts of the drilling processes.

Now Therefore; Be it resolved that the Pennsylvania Game Commission supports legislation designed to levy a severance tax on revenues for the benefit of the people and wildlife of the Commonwealth through the equitable distribution of a portion of these specific funds to the resource agencies.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners currently is comprised of the following: James "Jay" Delaney, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, President; Ronald Weaner, Biglerville, Adams County, Vice-President; David Schreffler, Everett, Bedford County, Secretary; Thomas Boop, Sunbury, Northumberland County; Gregory J. Isabella, Philadelphia; David J. Putnam, Centre Hall, Centre County; Robert Schlemmer, Export, Westmoreland County; and Ralph A. Martone, New Castle, Lawrence County.

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and the name of the organization you represent to: [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission

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