Pennsylvania’s existing tax on natural gas – the impact fee – is a winning policy solution that works for Washington County, said industry and local leaders during a news conference Thursday on the steps of the County Courthouse. Awarded nearly $23 million from the natural gas impact tax this year, Washington County and its municipalities have funded critical infrastructure projects, emergency operations, and community park improvements, among others. The event featured remarks from Washington County Commissioners, Senator Camera Bartolotta, Rep. Jason Ortitay, Chartiers Township Manager Jodi Noble, Cross Creek Township Manager Rachel Warner Welsh, North Strabane Township Fire Chief Mark Grimm, and Washington County Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Kotula. “Pennsylvania’s unique tax on natural gas – the impact tax – continues to be a policy solution that’s working as designed, directly benefiting communities in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth,” Marcellus Shale Coalition President David Spigelmyer said. “Importantly the impact tax is structured to empower local leaders with the ability to determine projects to fund, like flood mitigation, road and bridge improvement, park and trail upgrades, or first responder services.” Impact tax revenues in Washington County have gone towards several community projects, such as the eventual replacement of McDowell Lane Bridge over Canonsburg Lake and Deems Bridge over Pike Run, the rehabilitation of Cokeburg Water Reservoir Dam, and improvements to Mon Valley River Access. Pennsylvania’s impact fee has generated nearly $1.7 billion in tax revenues since 2012.