The PA Growing Greener Coalition Friday reiterated its case for why environmental funding must be contained in any severance tax package passed by the Commonwealth. Andrew Heath, executive director for the Coalition, issued the following statement:

“Since the Coalition first came into existence in 2008, our position concerning a severance tax on natural gas extraction has been consistent - it must include conservation, restoration, and preservation funding for programs such as the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. This position stems from the fact that when natural resources are used and/or degraded in one region of the Commonwealth, there must be a reinvestment in resources in another.

“On Wednesday, the Governor announced his plans to enact a 5 percent drilling tax plus a fee on gas production. These taxes would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the Commonwealth each year. The Coalition urges the Administration and General Assembly to reinvest a portion of these revenues for conservation, recreation, and preservation programs.

“The impacts of drilling in Pennsylvania are evident throughout the Commonwealth. Our parks, forests, scenic and cultural areas, and waterways are at risk of being disturbed and degraded. Funding through a severance tax is essential to addressing these issues and is a step in the right direction to increasing funds available for the Growing Greener and other environmental programs.”

The  PA Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth.

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2/16/2015