At The Request Of Natural Gas Industry, Senate Republicans Report Out Bill To Prohibit Communities From Moving To Clean, Cheaper Energy Sources To Address Climate Change

On June 7, at the request of the natural gas industry, Republicans on the Senate Local Government Committee reported out House Bill 1947 (O’Neal-R- Washington) which prohibits counties, local governments and authorities from promoting clean, cheaper energy sources to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for action.

On May 25, after a similar request, Republicans on the House Local Government Committee reported out a companion bill-- Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R- Lycoming)-- by a party-line vote which is now Tabled in the House

Background

This legislation is part of an initiative by the American Gas Association to get states across the country to adopt legislation to prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances that would block the use of natural gas in new homes and commercial construction.  Read more here.

In March, the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook said the falling costs of renewable energy means “robust” competition with natural gas and said electricity is the fastest growing energy source in buildings.  Read more here.

On May 16, the U.S. EIA reported photovoltaic module shipments jumped from 1.3 million kilowatt hours in February to 2.2 million kilowatt hours in March.  Read more here.

This legislation is meant by the natural gas industry to reduce conversions to electricity, even in the face of record natural gas cost spikes as a result of the Russian Ukraine war.

As Bloomberg and others have reported, “U.S. Natural Gas Is On A Path To ‘Crazy Prices’ With No Relief In Sight.”

The spiking cost of natural gas is also affecting electricity, as the Public Utility Commission warned on May 9 when they announced electricity costs will be rising between 16.1 percent and 44.6 percent starting June 1.  Read more here.

However, electric generation companies are moving quickly to incorporate cheaper renewables in their generation mix, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration has reported.  Read more here.

Sen. Cris Dush (R-Clearfield) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7084 or send email to his chief of staff: jfoust@pasen.gov. Sen. Timothy Kearney (D-Chester) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-1350 or send email to: tim.kearney@pasenate.com. 

NewsClip:

-- Scranton Times: Natural Gas Development Boom Reboot Predicted In PA

Related Articles This Week:

-- Senate Republicans, At Request Of Natural Gas Industry, OK Bill To Take Away Protections In Erosion & Sedimentation Permitting For Oil & Gas Activities

-- House Republicans Side With Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers, Against Taxpayers, To Continue Pre-1985 Exemption From Well Bonding, Prevent Any Increase In Plugging Bond Amounts 

-- On-Site Conventional Oil & Gas Drilling Waste Disposal Plans Making Hundreds Of Drilling Sites Waste Dumps 

-- Senate Hearing: Body Of Evidence Is 'Large, Growing,’ ‘Consistent’ And 'Compelling' That Shale Gas Development Is Having A Negative Impact On Public Health; PA Must Act 

-- Independent Fiscal Office: Cost Of Gasoline, Energy Utility Bills Up 33% From Last Year [Driven By Spike In Oil, Natural Gas Prices On Foreign Energy Markets]

[Posted: June 7, 2022]  PA Environment Digest