Chesco senator: Let towns, schools tax pipelines

Local municipalities and school districts in Pennsylvania would be able to tax natural-gas pipelines as energy companies expand their pipeline network across the state, under a bill introduced Thursday by Sen. Andy Dinniman (D., Chester).

It would amend state law to allow local government and school officials to require energy companies to pay real estate taxes on natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.

"The pipeline companies say they want to be good neighbors," Dinniman said. "Well, here's an opportunity for them to do so."

He said his bill will give residents throughout the state what would amount to a small slice of the pipeline companies' profits. He said pipeline companies should help communities with pipelines running through them, just as they help communities in the Marcellus Shale.

"We want to make sure our residents get their share," Dinniman said.

Municipalities could spend the tax money on safety measures or lessening the environmental impact of pipeline construction, he said.

Dinniman said his bill is similar to laws in neighboring states that allow for local taxation of pipelines.

A spokesman for Sunoco Logistics, which plans to build new pipelines to run through Chester and Delaware Counties, said the company would need to review the legislation before commenting.

Michaelle Bond