Thirty-five environmental and other organizations and legislators filled the Capitol steps in Harrisburg urging Gov. Wolf to veto House Bill 1100 which would provide taxpayer funded subsidies to manufacturers who use natural gas in manufacturing.

At about the same time, Republican lawmakers and Sen. John Yudichak (I-Luzerne) held a press conference urging Wolf to sign the bill, which is part of the House Republican Energize PA natural gas subsidy package.

Another bill in the Energize PA package would take away environmental permitting decisions from DEP.

House Bill 1100 passed the General Assembly on February 4, but the Republican Senate has been deliberately holding the bill and not sending it to the Governor's desk in order to build pressure on him to sign it.

Gov. Wolf said he would veto the bill.  At budget hearings last week, representatives of the Administration said the Governor is interested in working with the General Assembly to broaden the bill to encompass a number of different areas (no more details provided).

Against

Those speaking at the rally against the bill included Sen. Katie Muth (D-Montgomery), Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Allegheny), PennFuture President and CEO Jacquelyn Bonomo, Center for Coalfield Justice Executive Director Veronica Coptis, PennEnvironment Deputy Director Ashleigh Deemer, Rabbi Daniel Swartz of Temple Hesed in Scranton, and Briann Moye, an environmental justice organizer with One Pennsylvania.

“No industry is entitled to an open ended tax credit.  The entitlement mindset of this industry is unacceptable to communities who refuse to be soaked in toxins in exchange for jobs," said Bonomo.  "The days where Pennsylvanians must accept pollution in exchange for progress must come to an end. Neighboring states are building their economic futures around renewable energy and clean manufacturing.  They will reap the benefits of the new economy while Pennsylvania fracks and cracks its way into a future of dirty air, polluted water and sickness.”

“House Bill 1100 seeks to drastically expand the gas and petrochemical industries across Pennsylvania at a time when we need exactly the opposite," said Sen. Muth. “Our Commonwealth should already be transitioning to clean, renewable energy, but the majority of the General Assembly continues to fail to address the climate crisis. HB 1100 is another bill perpetuating corporate welfare for the fossil fuel industry, an industry that only prioritizes their profits, not the health, well-being, or safety of workers, the public, or the environment. We have a constitutional right to clean air, land, and water. If HB 1100 becomes law, it will have harmful ramifications for generations. I stand in solidarity with those who are asking the governor to veto House Bill 1100.”

The groups said the bill would provide a subsidy for petrochemical-related projects in Pennsylvania that is expected to average $22 million per facility per year through 2050.

Click Here to watch the Against press conference (Facebook).

For The Bill

Among those at the press conference urging Gov. Wolf to sign the bill were retiring House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Sen. John Yudichak (I-Luzerne) and representatives of the PA Building Trades and business groups.

“This is going to be a game changer for the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Turzai.  He noted the bills passed both the Senate and House by veto-proof margins and he would expect an attempt to override any veto by the Governor.

Turzai said the tax credit is designed to replicate the one that helped attract the Shell Ethane Plant to Beaver County which he said is the largest construction project in North America.

“We strongly encourage Gov. Wolf to sign the bill.  Today is not the day for political ideas to rule.  It’s about good jobs and something that truly moves Pennsylvania forward,” said Rep. Cutler.

“Legislators who want to create good jobs and protect the environment do not have to be at odds with each other.  We can do both,” said Sen. Yudichak.  The Senator said two companies have expressed interest in developing petrochemical facilities in Pennsylvania if House Bill 1100 passes.

Click Here to watch the Pro press conference.

(Photos: Shell Ethane Plant construction site in Beaver County, Groups rally against House Bill 1100.)

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[Posted: March 9, 2020]

3/16/2020