Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes fees relating to drilling for natural gas.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Shale Impact Fee, effective January 1, 2011, which shall apply to unconventional wells containing natural gas (Sec. 2302).

• Exempts stripper wells from the Shale Impact Fee (Sec. 2302).

• Specifies that the Shale Impact Fee shall be calculated as follows (Sec. 2302):
• $50,000 for year 1 of operations;
• $40,000 for year 2 of operations;
• $30,000 for year 3 of operations;
• $20,000 for years 4-10 of operations; and
• $10,000 for year 11 of operations and every year thereafter.

• Establishes a commission to provide oversight of unconventional wells in the state that were created prior to January 1, 2011 (Sec. 2502).

• Defines "drilling" as either drilling, re-drilling, or deepening an existing well (Sec. 3203).

Full Bill Text