Senate approves shale impact fee
The state Senate voted 31-19 in favor of fees that could raise $180 million from the industry in the first year, while expanding regulations for the booming industry, including a requirement for online disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The measure, which could pass the House on Tuesday night, would fund road work and environmental cleanups and give local governments the power to impose the fees on their local wells. Full Story