Yes they started charging for ESTA 3 years ago. They are $14pp and last for 2 years or until your passport expires.
Only use the official link, here in the ESTA sticky thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2282558
Don't use any other link, they will charge a fee ontop.
Triple check your application. With 3 females in the house, I managed to get DH's gender wrong last year It's not a field you can edit, so I had to submit a new application and pay another $14.