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Marcellus Works Proposal Introduced In House To Promote Use Of Natural Gas

House Majority Whip Stan Saylor (R-York) and members of the House Republican Caucus this week unveiled a package of legislation called “Marcellus Works,” which is designed to secure Pennsylvania’s energy future and create thousands of new jobs by creating incentives for the use of the clean natural gas, which is plentiful in Pennsylvania’s large Marcellus Shale formation, as a vehicle fuel.
           “It has been estimated that the development of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale will create tens of thousands of jobs,” said Saylor.  “But extracting the natural gas represents only half of the job creating potential.  Using this clean burning and domestic resource will unlock the key to the other half.  That is where our plan comes in.”
            The Marcellus Works plan includes these bills (not yet online):
-- House Bill 1083 (Saylor-R-York) creates tax credits for private fleet vehicles in order to lessen incremental cost of natural gas vehicles.
-- House Bill 1084 (Moul-R-Adams) creates a grant program available to smaller mass transit agencies to cover the incremental cost of natural gas buses.
-- House Bill 1085 (Watson-R-Bucks) creates a revolving loan program available to large mass transit agencies to cover the incremental cost of natural gas buses.
-- House Bill 1086 (Marshall-R-Beaver) requires 25 percent of all new bus purchases made by large mass transit agencies (SEPTA, PAT, Lehigh) in 2012-16 run on natural gas; 50 percent in 2017-2021; 75 percent in 2021-2026; and 100 percent in 2027.
-- House Bill 1087 (Denlinger-R-Lancaster) creates a natural gas corridor tax credit to encourage the construction of natural gas fueling stations along travel corridors (I-76, I-78, I-79, I-80, I-81, and I-83).
-- House Bill 1088 (Pickett-R-Bradford) dedicates the Alternative Fuel Incentive Fund to provide grants to municipalities, schools, and the private sector for the purchase of natural gas vehicles.
-- House Bill 1089 (Perry-R-York) – Repeals California Air Resources Board section 2030 to eliminate costly duplication of EPA and CARB certifications for natural gas vehicles.
            “This plan is truly a win-win for everyone,” Rep. Saylor added.  “This is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to take the lead on clean energy and it is an opportunity for Pennsylvania to encourage the development and growth of small businesses and the much-needed jobs they will bring. We have a wonderful opportunity to grow our economy and ensure a clean energy future for future generations.  We cannot squander it.”
            The estimated cost of the program is $47.5 million in one-time spending.
            For more information, visit  the Marcellus Works website.
            NewsClips: House GOP Wants More Natural Gas Buses, Trucks
                                PA May Get Into Energy Business To Provide Marcellus Gas Market
                                Marcellus Shale Economic Impact At Heart Of Capitol Expo


4/11/2011

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