For the privilege of using geological strata beneath the surface of the earth in Prince George’s County or underground storage of gas in volumes greater than the minimum volume specified, a gas storage company shall pay the county an annual underground storage use fee. The fee applies annually to all gas in storage, except the specified minimum volume, on the last day of each calendar year. It is computed at the following annual rates on the commodity charge paid for the gas by the gas storage company, as evidenced by the tariff under which the gas was purchased:
Rate Cubic feet of gas in storage No fee On the first 5 billion 2 percent On all over 5 billion but not over 10 billion 4 percent On all over 10 billion but not over 15 billion 6 percent On all over 15 billion but not over 20 billion 8 percent On all over 20 billion but not over 25 billion 10 percent On all over 25 billion.