Marcellus Shale Coalition president Dave Spigelmyer issued the following statement today in response to Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address:

"Natural gas development in the Commonwealth continues to be an absolute game-changer for each and every one of our 67 counties, bringing about positive progress and broad-based benefits to all Pennsylvanians. This is especially true on the job creation and tax revenue front as well as the opportunity for a regional manufacturing rebirth.

"Yet, what was offered today once again by the governor – higher energy taxes on an industry that already generates substantial tax revenue for state and local governments – would undercut Pennsylvania's positioning in the global fight to attract capital investments and stunt this economic momentum rather than fully capitalize on it.

"Small businesses, labor unions and local governments across the Commonwealth share our industry's deep concerns about the economically damaging consequences associated with higher energy taxes and potential job losses, especially given the incredibly challenging global market dynamics. It's also clear that Pennsylvania voters across the political spectrum – when presented with an honest choice – overwhelmingly favor policies aimed at creating additional supplies of affordable energy, good-paying local jobs and expanding the natural gas industry's growth over higher energy taxes.

"We remain laser-focused on working collaboratively with the governor as well as the general assembly to help advance policies that seek to grow and expand opportunity. However, now is the absolute wrong time for onerously higher energy taxes, which threaten jobs and Pennsylvania's long-term competitiveness as well as our manufacturing potentials."

3/9/2015