| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
House Democrats Ask Marcellus Shale Drillers To Lead Fight For New Tax
|
|
House Democrats Friday asked Marcellus Shale drilling companies, themselves, to join the cause by publicly urging Gov. Tom Corbett to finally support the tax.
The House Democratic Caucus Leadership Team, along with House Democratic Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Camille "Bud" George, sent a letter to the Marcellus Shale Coalition, urging the coalition and its 42 member companies to help Pennsylvania enact the only comprehensive plan for both a reasonable extraction tax and responsible environmental regulations – House Bill 1800, known as the ProtectPA bill, sponsored by Rep. George.
"The people of this Commonwealth have waited too long for a common-sense extraction tax and critical environmental and public safety protections for this industry," the House Democratic leaders wrote, adding that "it's become increasingly obvious that the pressure and influence exerted by your industry on Gov. Tom Corbett has been a driving factor in Pennsylvania's inability to enact this legislation this year."
The letter continued: "Given your industry's continued influence, we ask you to publicly and emphatically release Gov. Corbett from his 'no tax' pledge and urge him to support the only comprehensive and responsible plan for both an extraction tax and increased environmental protections – House Bill 1800, also known as the ProtectPA bill…"
The ProtectPA bill would require natural gas producers to pay 30 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of gas severed at the wellhead, with an adjustment mechanism if gas prices rise more than 5 percent annually. The revenue generated from this extraction tax would go directly to local governments, infrastructure repair and environmental programs. The bill also includes critical provisions to protect water quality and infrastructure across the Commonwealth, mirroring several of the recommendations of the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.
House Democrats said the ProtectPA measure is also a jobs bill, as it includes a tax credit for companies that create jobs for Pennsylvanians. They noted that a recent study shows actual jobs created by development of the Marcellus Shale were significantly less than what had been originally predicted – 23,000 actual jobs created, as compared with the original estimate of 44,098 jobs.
"We need to create more jobs for Pennsylvania workers in this industry," House Democrats wrote to the Coalition. "ProtectPA will help to accomplish that goal."
Despite House Democrats' efforts to enact a fair and reasonable extraction tax on natural gas companies in the Marcellus Shale – including leading the passage of an extraction tax in the House twice in two years – those efforts stalled in the Republican-led Senate, and now face continued opposition by Corbett.
In their letter to the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the House Democratic leaders asked the companies to put an end to the myth that the natural gas industry can't afford to be taxed.
"Your member companies – and the entire natural gas drilling industry – are here to stay, because there are billions of dollars in profits to be made by drilling in Pennsylvania," House Democrats wrote.
"We want your member companies to be profitable and to thrive in Pennsylvania," they continued. "We want them to hire more Pennsylvania workers, and we want them to buy more Pennsylvania products and services. But we also want to ensure our land is protected and our water is safe to drink. The ProtectPA bill will provide Pennsylvanians with those assurances.
"It's time your industry puts its political weight behind the interests of the people of Pennsylvania. We urge you and the entire Marcellus Shale Coalition to release Gov. Corbett from his 'no tax' pledge and support the ProtectPA bill."
Note: Press reports Friday indicated Gov. Corbett will announce all or part of his Marcellus Shale package on Monday, October 3.
|
|
10/3/2011 |
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |