Posts Tagged ‘least competitive energy-producing states’

Group urges commonsense reforms, dialogue aimed at safely expanding natural gas development, jobs in Pa.

Canonsburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania state House of Representatives is currently considering what would be the nation’s most onerous taxes on the environmentally responsible development of clean-burning, job-creating natural gas from the Commonwealth’s Marcellus Shale formation. Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC), issued this statement:

“Pennsylvanians continue to face troubling economic times, with nearly one out of every ten citizens in the Commonwealth out of work today.

“Despite this difficult climate, the environmentally-safe development of the Marcellus Shale’s natural gas resources continues to create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs at a time when they’re most needed. This responsible development is not only generating hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for state and local governments, but it’s also delivering clean-burning, homegrown energy supplies to struggling families in the form of affordable natural gas for home and water heaters, as well electricity.

“We will continue to work closely with the General Assembly, the governor and his administration, as well as county and local officials, to craft commonsense solutions – especially modernizing our outdated regulatory framework – that encourage competitiveness, expanded job creation and energy security.

“Unfortunately, this enormous tax hike and misguided call for blanket moratoriums on shale gas production not only put Pennsylvania on a path to become one of the least competitive energy-producing states in the country but also threatens critical capital investments, which are essential for continued job growth. Instituting new taxes and an unnecessary moratorium will only drive away jobs – what a missed opportunity that would be.”

Copyright: Marcelluscoalition.org