New shale drilling fees okayed

HARRISBURG — The Environmental Quality Board on Tuesday approved new fees for Marcellus Shale drilling permits that will replace the flat $100 permit fee with a variable fee structure based on well depth. The Department of Environmental Protection reported that 40,000 new drilling permits are anticipated ;in the next three years. The new fee structure sets a base permit cost of $900 for all Marcellus Shale wells up to 1,500 feet and imposes an additional cost of $100 for every 500 feet of depth past 1,500 feet. The state says the fee will help ensure adequate funding to cover program expenses for permit reviews and well site inspections. For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Public Participation.