U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) Wednesday introduced the STATE Natural Gas Act to help Pennsylvania develop the growing natural gas industry and create jobs.

Sen. Casey’s bill would allow Pennsylvania and other states determine the best way to invest in the industry that supplies a vital source of domestic energy and supports economic growth.

“Despite the industry’s growth in recent years natural gas is still a largely untapped resource, so I’m working to give states the resources and flexibility to develop this plentiful domestic energy source and create jobs and economic opportunity in Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Casey. “My bill will encourage the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and encourage private investment in natural gas vehicles and transportation infrastructure, building a base for increased job creation and energy independence.”

The STATE Natural Gas Act would create a grant program to offer states funding to develop initiatives that encourage the use of natural gas as a fuel and encourage public and private investment in natural gas vehicles and transportation infrastructure.

States would apply for grants through the U.S. Department of Energy and would be awarded based on several criteria, including:

-- The amount of public and private funds State plans are likely to leverage;

-- The degree that initiatives will support a need that is unlikely to be met by the private sector absent grant program funding;

-- The degree that initiatives will act as a bridge to private investment and sustainable market conditions; and,

-- Each State’s public and private investment in natural gas transportation  and infrastructure.

Sen. Casey has also introduced the NGEAR Act to speed the transition of natural gas fueled vehicles by creating a rebate for the purchase of natural gas buses and extending tax credits for natural gas filling stations.

Natural gas has the potential to create jobs and economic across Pennsylvania, especially in areas where unemployment remains high.

NewsClip: Casey Introduces Bill To Support Natural Gas Vehicles

7/30/2012