State of Pennsylvania secondary Archives: on Energy & Oil
Lou Barletta:
Use coal, nuclear, natural gas; consider alternatives
Congress must adopt policies that make the United States less dependent on foreign oil, allow for the responsible exploration of domestic sources of energy, and rein in federal overregulation.
In Pennsylvania, there are large deposits of coal and natural gas. We also must consider alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind, and make greater use of nuclear power.
Source: 2018 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial website LouBarletta.com
Lou Barletta:
Energy regulations cost jobs
The House has passed more than 350 pieces of legislation that have yet to receive a vote in the Senate. Dozens of them are designed to grow the economy and create jobs. Congressman Barletta has supported almost all of them, including H.R. 2641, which wou
Source: 2018 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial website LouBarletta.com
Rick Saccone:
EPA's tyranny hurts coal jobs
The EPA regulations have struck a major blow to all coal companies. We have worked hard to enhance the air quality in the region and it has improved exponentially. The new EPA regulations however, won't result in a
measurable difference in air quality. This creates a reality in which the EPA is forcing Americans out of work with nothing to show in return. It's agenda is inconsistent with that of the people and its time we stand up to the tyranny of the EPA.
Source: 2018 Pennsylvania Senatorial website RickSaccone.com
Oct 15, 2017
Jim Christiana:
Tax credits for oil means jobs
In the 2011-12 legislative session, Jim introduced historic legislation aimed at securing a multi-billion dollar petrochemical plant in western Pennsylvania.
His efforts led to Shell's decision to build the first petrochemical plant in the northeast portion of the United States in Beaver County, bringing with it more than 7,500 new jobs.
Jim's legislation, the Pennsylvania Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit, provides earned incentives to any company that builds a petrochemical plant in the Commonwealth.
This tax credit helped spur economic revitalization and long-term job growth in western Pennsylvania and across the state.
Source: 2018 Pennsylvania Senatorial website RepChristiana.com
Jul 2, 2017
Jim Christiana:
Cut spending, cut taxes
Reprioritizing spending, consolidating government programs and no broad-based tax increases sounds like the start of a state budget I could get behind. The spending increases the governor proposed cannot be fulfilled with our current revenue outlook
and would require tax increases of some kind. We must focus on finding innovative ways to deliver services, reduce spending and address the cost drivers that already take way too much money out of our taxpayers' hard-earned paychecks.
Source: Comments on 2017 Pennsylvania State of the State speech
Jul 2, 2017
Katie McGinty:
Corn ethanol as renewable fuel can replace some fossil fuels
Toomey says the use of corn ethanol is an economic harm to Pennsylvania, provides no environmental benefit and is "another example of how Katie McGinty loves to pick these corporate welfare programs that enrich a handful of huge agribusiness companies
at the cost of average families and consumers and workers," Toomey told reporters.McGinty, a long-time clean-energy advocate who served as a top environmental policy adviser to former Gov. Ed Rendell and former
President Bill Clinton, supports the use of corn ethanol as a renewable fuel that can replace the need for some fossil fuels, according to her campaign.
A 2007 federal law requires companies to blend billions of gallons of ethanol into their gasoline.
But it has come under scrutiny as to whether it reduces pollution and the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to produce a report on the impacts of biofuels by December 2017.
Source: The Morning Call on 2016 Pennsylvania Senate debate
Sep 12, 2016
Pat Toomey:
Corn ethanol is corporate welfare that hurts oil refineries
Toomey highlighted the financial struggles at a Philadelphia-area oil refinery, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, and the role played by ethanol blending costs. The use of corn ethanol is an economic harm to Pennsylvania, provides no environmental benefit
and is "another example of how Katie McGinty loves to pick these corporate welfare programs that enrich a handful of huge agribusiness companies at the cost of average families and consumers and workers," Toomey told reporters.
McGinty supports the use of corn ethanol as a renewable fuel that can replace the need for some fossil fuels, according to her campaign. A 2007 federal law requires companies to blend billions of gallons of ethanol into their gasoline.
Toomey has co-sponsored legislation that would kill the fuel-blending requirement that is typically satisfied by corn ethanol, but leave intact a separate requirement for refiners to blend in different renewable additives, albeit at smaller amounts.
Source: The Morning Call on 2016 Pennsylvania Senate debate
Sep 12, 2016
Katie McGinty:
No fracking COMPANY donations; but some from fracking execs
The fight on fracking resurrected a clash from early in the race, when McGinty said she had received no campaign contributions from the oil or gas industries. She has taken some donations from executives either at oil & gas companies or in closely relate
businesses, such as pipelines--but she has said no money has come directly from oil or gas firms or their political arms. "I do not have a penny from an oil company, a gas company," she said, while noting several endorsements from environmental advocates
McGinty has worked in key environmental protection jobs throughout her career, as well as privately in the energy industry."Stop splitting hairs," Fetterman fired back, saying her oil and gas donations run into the six figures--citing a broad range of
contributions from law firms, lobbyists, and many others, some with only loose ties to oil and gas. One donation he cites is from a lawyer who opposes fracking. McGinty argued that Fetterman, by his broad standard, has accepted similar donations.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer on 2016 Pennsylvania Senate debate
Apr 6, 2016
John Fetterman:
Encourage clean energy policies
During the last 10 years as mayor, John encouraged clean energy policies to create new jobs and put folks in Braddock back to work. He's applied a hands-on approach from
AmeriCorps and his service experience with to take steps towards progress and rebuild this community, creating jobs, getting youth engaged, and bringing creative urban policy solutions to Braddock.
Source: 2016 Pennsylvania Senate campaign website JohnFetterman.com
Sep 22, 2015
Tom Corbett:
Establish process to replace coal plants with green energy
Legislative Summary: Pennsylvania Greenhouse Gas Regulation Implementation Act: Requiring approval from the General Assembly for a State plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions for existing stationary sources.Legislative text
replaced: Reasonably-priced reliable sources including coal-fired electric generation power plants strengthen are vital to public interest. The premature deactivation or retirement of coal-fired electric generation, due to EPA regulations,
negatively affects our economy, environment, and electric reliability.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This legislation slows green energy implementation. However, the previous law had strong pro-coal language, which the new version removes. On
balance, we consider this bill a step forward toward green energy.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 144-59-0 on July 1; passed Senate 31-17-2 on Oct. 15; signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Oct. 22
Source: Pennsylvania Legislative voting records on HB 2354
Oct 22, 2014
Scott Wagner:
Establish process to replace coal plants with green energy
Legislative Summary: Pennsylvania Greenhouse Gas Regulation Implementation Act: Requiring approval from the General Assembly for a State plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions for existing stationary sources.Legislative text
replaced: Reasonably-priced reliable sources including coal-fired electric generation power plants strengthen are vital to public interest. The premature deactivation or retirement of coal-fired electric generation, due to EPA regulations,
negatively affects our economy, environment, and electric reliability.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This legislation slows green energy implementation. However, the previous law had strong pro-coal language, which the new version removes. On
balance, we consider this bill a step forward toward green energy.
Legislative Outcome: Sen. Wagner voted YEA; passed House 144-59-0 on July 1; passed Senate 31-17-2 on Oct. 15; signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Oct. 22
Source: Pennsylvania Legislative voting records on HB 2354
Oct 15, 2014
Brendan Boyle:
Weaning ourselves off of foreign oil; promote alternatives
Climate change is real. I stood beside leading climate change experts to call for a comprehensive plan to finally tackle this crucial challenge that affects us all.We must begin the process of weaning ourselves as a nation off of foreign oil--not
just for the sake of the environment but also for our pocketbooks. Gas prices are hitting working families squarely on the chin. I will continue to fight to promote alternative energy sources that reduce pollution and create American jobs.
Source: 2014 Pennsylvania House campaign website, VoteBoyle.com
Oct 10, 2014
Brendan Boyle:
Coal plants are vital to the Commonwealth
Legislative Summary: Pennsylvania Greenhouse Gas Regulation Implementation Act: Requiring approval from the General Assembly for a State plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions for existing stationary sources.Legislative text
replaced: Reasonably-priced reliable sources including coal-fired electric generation power plants strengthen are vital to public interest. The premature deactivation or retirement of coal-fired electric generation, due to EPA regulations,
negatively affects our economy, environment, and electric reliability.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This legislation slows green energy implementation. However, the previous law had strong pro-coal language, which the new version removes. On
balance, we consider this bill a step forward toward green energy.
Legislative Outcome: Rep. Boyle voted NAY; passed House 144-59-0 on July 1; passed Senate 31-17-2 on Oct. 15; signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Oct. 22
Source: Pennsylvania Legislative voting records on HB 2354
Jul 1, 2014
Dwight Evans:
Coal plants are vital to the Commonwealth
Legislative Summary: Pennsylvania Greenhouse Gas Regulation Implementation Act: Requiring approval from the General Assembly for a State plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions for existing stationary sources.Legislative text
replaced: Reasonably-priced reliable sources including coal-fired electric generation power plants strengthen are vital to public interest. The premature deactivation or retirement of coal-fired electric generation, due to EPA regulations,
negatively affects our economy, environment, and electric reliability.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This legislation slows green energy implementation. However, the previous law had strong pro-coal language, which the new version removes. On
balance, we consider this bill a step forward toward green energy.
Legislative Outcome:Rep. Evans voted NAY; passed House 144-59-0 on July 1; passed Senate 31-17-2 on Oct. 15; signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Oct. 22
Source: Pennsylvania Legislative voting records on HB 2354
Jul 1, 2014
Rick Saccone:
No extraction tax on the Marcellus Shale gas
There is a renewed effort by "tax-everything" proponents and their ilk to offer an extraction tax on the Marcellus Shale gas industry as a panacea to the budget shortfall we are experiencing in Pennsylvania. Fortunately for the economic future of
Pennsylvania, cooler heads have so far prevailed.The extraction tax is one of the most demagogued and misunderstood issues facing the Legislature today. Most citizens don't realize the industry is already taxed in the form of an impact fee.
That fee generates over $200 million in revenue each year and growing. Additionally, the industry paid $1.4 billion in state taxes and fees in fiscal year 2012.
Though some people think additional taxation makes sense, it actually would be a
job-killing economic policy. Proponents cling to it because it is their default solution for just about every revenue shortfall. Citizens are deluged with misinformation ignoring how much this industry contributes to the economy.
Source: 2018 Pennsylvania Senate race website, RepSaccone.com
Jun 19, 2014
Tom Wolf:
Moratorium on gas drilling in state parks and state forests
All four Democratic candidates would oppose a broad moratorium on natural gas drilling, support a moratorium on drilling in state parks and state forests and in the Delaware River Basin, and oppose reducing local governments' zoning authority over
drilling activity. They would also seek to require exploration companies to publicly disclose chemicals used in fracking. In addition, McCord would seek a ban on the use of open wastewater pits and the waterway discharge of drilling wastewater.
Source: The Patriot News on 2014 Pennsylvania governor debate
May 10, 2014
Tom Corbett:
Help three refineries survive by owners & unions cooperating
In the southeast, three refineries survived almost certain closure when their owners, and most of the industry, had given up on them. But we didn't give up. Working in a true bipartisan effort that is all too rare today,
I joined with elected leaders, with business leaders and with union leaders to find new owners and a new future for those refineries.We were able to show new investors the skill, work ethic and limitless potential of the Pennsylvania worker.
And we were able to share with those new investors the vision of Pennsylvania's energy future as a world leader. Today, those refineries still employ thousands and support thousands of more jobs, from the truckers who
drive in and out with deliveries, to the lunch counters and small shops that will continue to thrive in the shadow of those plants.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Pennsylvania Legislature
Feb 5, 2013
Tom Corbett:
Under Marcellus Shale is another bonanza, the Utica Shale
The Marcellus is a resource, a source of potential wealth, the foundation of a new economy. For every pipe running a mile underground we should have jobs at distribution centers, at refineries, at shipping ports, and the offices & companies that run them
What Pennsylvanians will gain is the jobs, the spinoffs, and if we don't scare off these industries with new taxes, the follow-up that comes along.You see underneath the Marcellus Shale is another bonanza. It's called the Utica Shale. And where
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Pennsylvania legislature
Mar 8, 2011
Tom Corbett:
Under Marcellus Shale is another bonanza, the Utica Shale
The Marcellus is a resource, a source of potential wealth, the foundation of a new economy. For every pipe running a mile underground we should have jobs at distribution centers, at refineries, at shipping ports, and the offices & companies that run them
What Pennsylvanians will gain is the jobs, the spinoffs, and if we don't scare off these industries with new taxes, the follow-up that comes along.You see underneath the Marcellus Shale is another bonanza. It's called the Utica Shale. And where
Marcellus promises 50 years of energy the Utica promises riches going into the next century. Let's make Pennsylvania the hub of this boom. Let's make Pennsylvania the Texas of the natural gas boom. I'm determined that Pennsylvania not lose this moment.
We have the chance to grow our way out of hard days. We can build around this new industry and we can make certain we do this while protecting our lands, our drinking water, our air, and our communities, all the while growing our workforce.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Pennsylvania legislature
Mar 8, 2011
Ed Rendell:
18% of retail electricity from clean and renewable resources
Pennsylvania is a national leader in the field of alternative energy. Six years ago, we passed an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, requiring that 18% of all retail electricity sold in Pennsylvania had to be from clean and renewable resources. Since
then, we doubled the amount of wind power operating. By this December we will be among the top five states generating solar power and we now have more than 300 solar component companies in the state. All told, we have invested nearly a billion dollars in
alternative energy and fuel projects creating jobs in every corner of this state. And our funds have been matched by more than $3 billion in private investment. Due to our efforts, Pennsylvania was ranked third in the nation for green job creation. But
other states have enacted higher standards that will make them more attractive for future investment. It's not just about energy, it's about jobs, and we must protect these opportunities by raising our alternative energy requirements as soon as possible.
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
Ed Rendell:
Focus on win-win efforts: stem global warming & create jobs
Given the diverse make-up of the Climate Change Advisory Group, it's astonishing that 90 percent of the recommendations were unanimously adopted. Many of the Group's recommendations advance our efforts to stem global warming and create jobs.
Let's focus on those that are "win-win" for the planet and our people. We may not agree on everything, but this is something we can do together, and I urge you to pass the legislation to put these recommendations into action this year.
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010