On March 16, Kathy Cook, League of Women Voters PA Environmental Policy Director, released this statement in response to an announcement by two state Senators they plan to introduce legislation to do away with “cumbersome taxes, regulations and restrictions” handicapping the state’s energy sector--

“With the war in the Ukraine and gas prices increasing, energy independence is a topic not only in the United States, but in Europe. Germany’s response to Putin is to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels by moving to 100% renewable energy by 2035.

“PA Legislators Mastriano and Hutchinson are calling to increase our natural gas and oil production.

“Why are some Pennsylvanian legislators going in the other direction by doubling down on oil & gas?

“The gas and oil companies are behind this.

“These same legislators who state they are concerned about consumer energy prices are blocking the Governors nomination for Public Utility Commissioner. 

“This is partisan politics! 

“Let’s get back to reducing our carbon emissions by joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and by reducing our energy dependence on foreign nations.

“The League of Women Voters PA has consistently stated that we need to move to cleaner alternative energy sources and we need to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change. 

“We need a cleaner, healthier environment for a better future. 

“Let’s do what is right for all Pennsylvanians.”

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the League of Women Voters PA website.

NewsClips:

-- Inquirer: Andrew Maykuth: Pennsylvania Oil Refineries Use Significant Amount Of Russian Crude Oil

-- The Atlantic: America’s Energy Security Is Falling Apart - No Matter How Much Oil/Gas The U.S. Drills, We Are Dangerously Dependent On International Market Whims

            “Today, America is the world’s largest oil and gas producer, but instead of winning us energy independence, this distinction has made the country dangerously dependent on market whim.

“No matter how much oil the U.S. drills, crude prices are still set on the international market—so when Russia invaded Ukraine, oil prices in America soared.

“This point alone invalidated the central principle of energy independence, that suburban F-150 drivers should not have to pay more at the pump because someone else started a war.”

Related Articles - This Week:

-- 6th Oil/Gas Shock: Listen To What Europe Says They Need - Not What The U.S. Oil/Gas Industry Wants

-- Guest Essay: Pennsylvania And Virginia Face Fight Of Their Lives - [What The Coal, Natural Gas Industries Want In PA]  By Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming)

-- Guest Essay: PA Republican Suggestions To Make Us More Dependent On Fossil Fuels Will Not Secure Our Energy Future - By  Rep. Nancy Guenst (D-Montgomery), U.S. Army Veteran & Rep. Joseph G. Webster (D-Montgomery), U.S. Air Force Colonel, Retired

-- Vesper Energy Developing 200 MW Solar Energy Project In Lawrence County

-- Community College Of Allegheny County Flipped The Switch On Completed Solar Energy Installation

-- University Of Pittsburgh Announces Climate Action Plan To Go Carbon Neutral By 2037 

-- Senate Resolution Offers Hope Lawmakers May Finally Be Taking The Economic And Environmental Benefits Of Developing A Rare Earth Minerals Industry Seriously In PA

Related Articles:

-- New European Commission REPowerEU Plan Does Not Justify Dramatic Increase In Drilling, Gas Infrastructure Build Out PA Natural Gas Politicians Are Calling For

-- Guest Essay: Our Addiction To Fossil Fuels Fuel War: ‘Only Truly Addicted People Chase After Their Next Hit With Singular Focus As The Consequences Of Their Addiction Pile Up Around Them’ - By Rev. Mitchell C. Hescox, Evangelical Environmental Network

-- PA Natural Gas Politicians Want To ‘Unleash’ PA’s Gas Industry - What We Need First Is For Industry To Divert LNG To Europe; Take Up The Slack; Oil & Gas 2.0; True Energy Independence  

-- Oil & Gas Industry And Their Politicians Are Pushing Hard To Hook Us To Volatile Foreign Energy Markets Where There Is No Limit On What They Can Charge You

-- 2 Republican Senators Lay Out Agenda For Deregulating Oil & Gas Industry, Power Plants In PA

-- Republican Senators Propose Gas Drilling On At Least 22,000 More Acres Of State Forest, Mining 920 Acres Of Coal Under A State Park To Pay For DCNR Infrastructure Backlog 

-- DEP Budget Hearing: Unconventional Natural Gas Industry Didn’t Drill 40% Of The Wells It Had DEP Permits For

-- Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Pay Only $46,100 Of The $10,600,000 It Costs DEP To Regulate That Industry; Taxpayers May Be Asked To Pay The Difference

-- Senate Budget Hearings: PA’s Experience With New Pipeline Construction Shows State Laws Not Strong Enough To Prevent Environmental Damage, Protect Public Safety

[Posted: March 16, 2022]

3/21/2022