The impact fees paid by Pennsylvania’s unconventional natural gas producers in 2020 declined by $54 million year/year to about $146.3 million mainly because of lower natural gas prices, according to the state Public Utility Commision (PUC).

Top Producer Payments for 2020

Since the fees were enacted in 2012, operators have paid more than $2 billion to the PUC for distribution to local communities and state agencies.

This year’s distribution is based on an average price of natural gas in 2020 of $2.08/MMBtu versus a 2019 average price of $2.63. Last year also saw the fewest number of new wells than in any year since the fees were first assessed.

Pennsylvania is the nation’s second largest gas-producing state behind Texas. Operators working in the Marcellus, Upper Devonian and Utica shales reported...