Environmental programs to receive more than $15M from Marcellus Legacy Fund

A total of 135 environmental programs and community restoration projects will receive more than $15 million in Marcellus Legacy Fund monies.

The state’s natural gas tax provides the fund’s monies. It will be distributed to five types of projects: $10.8 million to greenways, trails, and recreation upgrades; $2.5 million for addressing flood mitigation; $1.7 million to watershed restoration and protection initiatives; $500,000 to orphaned and abandoned well plugging; and $33,000 to sewage facilities.

The fund provides grants to every county regardless of natural gas development activity for community, environmental, and economic development programs.

“This funding supports projects that will enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvanians in neighborhoods across the state, improving recreational spaces and boosting critical environmental and infrastructural upgrades,” Dennis Davin, secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, said.

One of the largest grants was awarded to the Indiana County Board of Commissioners and Indiana County Development Corp. to extend a natural gas pipeline in Center Township. Pipeline Investment awarded the county $1.5 million.

The Marcellus Legacy Fund awards are in addition to the $22.5 million available through the Growing Greener Plus grant program. The program provides funding to projects that improve water quality and watershed health.