PA Environment Digest Blog: Sen. Camera Bartolotta: PA Should Be Producing 4 Times The Gas We Are Now, Exporting It Around The World: ‘We Just Need To Get Government The Hell Out Of The Way’

On June 25, Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) told a Natural Gas and Oil Day event at the Capitol in Harrisburg Pennsylvania should be producing four times the natural gas we are now and exporting it around the world-- “We just need to get government the Hell out of the way!!”

Sen. Bartolotta serves as one of four co-chairs of the Gas and Oil Caucus, along with Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) and Reps. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) and Ed Neilson (D-Philadelphia).

Also speaking at the event were gas and oil legislators Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Sen. Bartolotta’s remarks are a good example of what 100% supporters of the gas and oil industry in Pennsylvania do and don’t say and do and don’t see about the industry that fails to give the public the whole story about the impacts of the industry they support.

In this regard, this industry is no different than other industries that have had a significant economic impact on the state and a negative impact on Pennsylvania’s public health and the environment, until the public had enough. Read more here.

Here is what Sen. Bartolotta said--

“I got a lot of words here, but you know what? [waiving papers with her written remarks] I typically just roll off the cuff because this topic has been a passion of mine since long before I was elected in 2014.

“Pennsylvania, not only could, but should produce four times the amount of natural gas we can produce right now, four times.

“We should be exporting freedom from Pennsylvania all around the world right now.

“We have the capability, we have the will, we have the knowledge, we just need to get government the hell out of the way.

“That's what we have to do.

“Stephanie [Catarino Wissman, executive director for American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania] alluded to the amount of natural gas that we've been able to produce in Pennsylvania, the amount of money that has come to Pennsylvania because of this incredible resource right under our feet.

“I live in southwestern Pennsylvania. I represent the cornerstone of the keystone state in the arms of West Virginia and man, am I tired of seeing all of our workers, all of our industry get out of Pennsylvania and go to where it's easier to do business.

“We need to make sure we are business friendly. We are industry friendly. We have to spread the word.

“I have told the gas industry for a decade now, "You're not spreading the message, you're not blowing your own horn, folks. You got to teach people what it is you do and how you change lives."

“There was a report recently that came out that said that over 100,000 jobs come from the gas and oil industry in Pennsylvania.

“That's a lot of people working, and it's not just family sustaining jobs. These are community sustaining jobs.

“These are jobs that have an average salary of $97,000 a year. Did you know that? Why aren't we hearing that every day?

“What I like to tell people who rail against the gas and oil industry, who happen to drive to a protest, use a cell phone, and by the way, have clothes on.

“You are using the fossil fuel industry right now. Everything you see, you touch, you utilize that makes your life better, came from underground folks.

“It came from an industry of hardworking people with great minds and technology, who bring to us civilization, medication, freedom, heat, cold, you name it, it's all there.

“And these wonderful displays behind you, I'm so glad they're here. I had this group come out to my local school district, my gosh, probably five years ago I think, and they put it up on the stage in the auditorium and they brought all class after class after class.

“And they could barely pry the kids away because it's so interesting, it's so hands-on. But what was better in between all those classes and at lunch, the teachers were up there on this stage looking at all of this. It was great.

“They don't know what all is involved in this incredible industry, but the impact fee alone has brought $26.4 million worth of grants to my district alone, $26.4 million. That combined with leveraging against your tax base has changed the lives of tens of thousands of people.

“To finalize here, we have got to make sure that regulation does not get in the way of progress, of prosperity and of freedom.

“And that's exactly what this industry offers and that's what we as legislators need to do to be sure that it provides not just jobs, but bringing in other industries into Pennsylvania.

“We need to see industry tripping over themselves to come into Pennsylvania, use this efficient, clean, readily available energy source to put up AI centers, data centers, hospitals, warehouses.

“You name it, we got it and we need to use it. Thanks.”

Click Here for a video of the event.

Resource Links - Oil & Gas Legislative/Regulatory Issues:

-- Gas Industry, Sen. Bartolotta Seek Legislation To Eliminate Environmental Hearing Board Appeals Of DEP Permits For Natural Gas Pipeline Facilities [5.21.24]

-- 3 Days That Shook Washington County: Natural Gas Plant Explosion; Pipeline Leak Of 1.1 Million Cubic Feet Of Gas; 10,000 Gallon Spill At Compressor Station [6.20.23]

-- KDKA: Natural Gas Gathering Pipeline Crashes Into, Thru Westmoreland County Home And A Loophole In State Law That Doesn’t Regulate Gathering Pipelines For Safety [9.5.23]

-- Sen. Yaw To Introduce Bill To Punish Counties That Seek To Protect Their Residents From Impacts Of Natural Gas Thru Lawsuits [5.8.24]

-- Sen. Yaw, Republican Chair Of Senate Environmental Committee, Calls Bill To Reduce Shale Gas Industry Impacts On Health, Environment ‘Stupid’ [10.30.23]

-- Senate Republicans Pass Bill Authorizing An Authority To Take Over Permitting Large-Scale Energy Projects; Eliminating Public Comment; Waiving Any Regulation; Providing Immunity From Prosecution; Barbers Reviewing Permits? [5.1.24]

-- PA House Republicans Announce Energy Package, Including An Energy Advocate Within DEP To Veto Any Action That Would Impact PA’s Energy Portfolio And An Independent Energy Office With The Same Power [3.28.24]

-- Bill Reported Out Of Senate Committee Would Allow Pipelines Like Mariner East To Apply For Waivers Of Any PUC Regulation, Law Or Policy [5.3.24]

-- PUC: Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee Revenue Drops $100 Million From Last Year’s Record To $179.6 Million; Puts Hole In State, Local Budgets [6.18.24]