Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Sen. Tim Solobay (D-Washington) Tuesday joined Senators from across the Commonwealth in the formation of a Senate ‘Coal Caucus,’ a bipartisan committee emphasizing the continued importance of coal and coal-driven technologies in the Commonwealth.

“In recent years, Pennsylvania has been fortunate to have an abundance of natural gas located in the Marcellus Shale formation contributing significantly to our local and state economies,” Sen. Yaw said.  “Since the industrial revolution, coal has also fueled our economy having created hundreds of thousands of jobs.   Collaboratively, we can change the dynamic of coal as an energy resource.”

“While we have focused our attention on other sources of energy such as gas, wind and solar, we can't forget that we are sitting on approximately seventy billion tons of coal here in Pennsylvania,” Sen. Yaw added.  This Coal Caucus will serve as a champion for increased investment in coal and coal-driven technology.”

“There are thousands of jobs on the line in southwestern Pennsylvania as market forces threaten a key component of our energy portfolio,” Sen. Solobay said. “I’m honored that my colleagues have trusted me to lead the effort toward a more balanced energy strategy.”

“Coal is critically important to our effort to reduce dependence on foreign fuels,” Sen. Solobay said. “In addition to being a major employer in Pennsylvania, the industry provides consumers with protection from energy shortages and price spikes.”

“Clearly we need a unified strategy and the combined voices of lawmakers from across the state to get the attention of the power industry and the federal government,” Sen. Solobay said. “I believe the formation of the Coal Caucus to be an important first step in aiding the development of public policy and the encouragement of new technology that benefits all consumers.”

The newly formed Coal Caucus will serve as a forum through which legislators and industry representatives can collaborate on the needs of the coal industry, focus on the utilization and consumption of coal to significantly reduce consumer demands on foreign fuels and highlight new coal technologies within the industry.

Other members include:  Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson), Senators Jake Corman (R-Centre), John Gordner (R-Columbia), Richard Kasunic (D-Somerset), Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), Bob Robbins (R-Lehigh), Elder Vogel (R-Beaver), Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), Don White (R-Indiana), John Wozniak (D-Cambria) and John Yudichak (D-Luzerne).

9/30/2013