Local political leaders have more than taken notice of the growing presence of oil and gas pipelines in Chester County — they have taken action to pay their communities back for the hassles and headaches created by the energy infrastructure.

West Whiteland Sen. Andy Dinniman has joined Montgomery County Sen. John Rafferty in introducing a pipeline impact fee through Senate Bill 557 based on pipeline right-of-way acreage, according a PA Environment Digest report.

“Throughout Pennsylvania, residents have been affected by the construction of natural gas lines. With the surge in natural gas drilling, many residents of Pennsylvania are experiencing the effects of the growth in this industry,” Rafferty said in the article. “… Although the  construction of this energy infrastructure is often done very efficiently, many communities experience a period of reduced quality of life and long-term impacts to the environment as a result of the construction process. Increased traffic congestion, noise, environmental impacts and associated safety risks are experienced by those who live, work or commute in proximity to these projects.”

The proposed pipeline impact fee would be distributed to the affected county (50 percent) and city (40 percent), with 10 percent funding administrators.

Read more about the potential Public Utility Commission fee in PA Environment Digest here.

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Top photo credit: Trans-Alaskan Pipeline – 16 via photopin (license)