Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato again addressed the possibility of Marcellus Shale drilling taking place on the 9,000 acres of land surrounding the Pittsburgh International Airport on Friday.

Onorato spoke at a forum hosted by the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce. State and local leaders came together for the annual event to discuss ongoing issues facing the state and county. 

Although no drilling is taking place on the county-owned property, Onorato said he has met with several Marcellus Shale drilling companies to discuss use of the land, which lies in Findlay and Moon townships. 

He said companies have been preparing requests for proposal for work on the land, but that market-wide declines in the price of oil have slowed the process. 

"We've met; we're ready to do it," Onorato said. "It's only a matter of timing." 

The panel was also comprised of Moon-area state Rep. Mark Mustio, Allegheny County Council members Matt Drozd and Michael Finnerty and state Reps. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver) and Jim Christiana (R-Monaca).

Onorato, along with each panelist at the event, expressed support for drilling in the region.

The county executive, whose term ends this year, said he would support drilling companies paying an "impact fee" for their work if the money raised by the fee remained with municipalities rather than state government. 

"There are positive impacts, and there are negative impacts (of drilling)," Onorato said. "We've got to be smart about it. I don't think a penny should go to the (Pennsylvania) general fund." 

Mustio, too, touted the benefits of drilling in the region, saying "we've got houses that are being bought up like crazy in Moon by people who work for drilling companies." 

Pennsylvania currently has no impact fees in place for drilling companies. Drozd echoed Onorato's sentiments, speaking out in favor of potential impact fees staying in local communities.  

"That money belongs here," he said. "It should stay here. The fight is here."