"In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation to stabilize energy costs for Pennsylvanians and protect against economic and international volatility in the long term," said Sen. Mastriano.
"With our abundant resources, Pennsylvania should be largely immune to energy cost volatility. Cumbersome taxes, regulations, and restrictions are handicapping the potential of our energy sector.
"Many companies simply choose to invest in more energy friendly states like Texas and West Virginia.
"To make matters worse, Pennsylvania's insistence to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) which is projected to raise energy consumer costs by $2 billion over nine years and lead to the closure of at least five power plants.
"Natural gas and coal currently account for over 60% of Pennsylvania’s electricity generation.
"I am proposing the “PA Energy Independence Act” to utilize our unique natural resources and finally cement Pennsylvania as a premier energy powerhouse," said Sen. Mastriano.
He said the legislation would--
Natural Gas and Drilling
-- Immediate suspension of the Corporate Net Income Tax and Personal Income Tax for natural gas producers
-- Reduce DEP’s gas permit fees to pre-2020 levels (200% cut from current fees) [permit fees fund DEP’s Oil & Gas Regulation Program]
-- End the moratorium on new leases on state lands by directing DCNR to initiate an approval process for new leasing opportunities
Coal-Powered Plants
-- Exempt Pennsylvania from plant-closing EPA regulations such as the Wastewater Rule and the Cross State Air Pollution Rule
-- Intrastate Coal/Natural Gas Use Provision: establish a provision to clearly state that any environmental regulation of coal and natural gas that is extracted and used in Pennsylvania can only be exclusively regulated by the Commonwealth, not by the Federal government.
Regulations and Permits
-- Require a report from DEP to the General Assembly on all current rules and regulations affecting the natural gas and coal industries and the respective economic impact
-- Require legislative approval for any new regulations affecting the natural gas and coal industries
-- Improve transparency in the permit review process and expedite approvals
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
-- Immediate suspension of Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI
Click Here for a copy of Sen. Mastriano's announcement.
Sen. Mastriano introduced similar legislation in 2022 as Senate Bill 1219 that never got out of Committee.
Resource Link:
-- PA Senate Republicans Reintroduce Bills To Eliminate State Appeals Of Pipeline Permits; Limit Grounds For Appeal Of Any DEP Permits; Punish Communities For Protecting Their Constituents Against Shale Gas Drilling Impacts [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Range Resources And MarkWest Liberty Midstream File Legal Challenges To The 2,500 Foot Shale Gas Facility Setback Ordinance Adopted By Cecil Township, Washington County [PaEN]
-- Conventional Oil & Gas Industry Compliance With 2022 DEP Methane Reduction Regulation Put On Hold Pending Outcome Of Litigation [PaEN]
-- Republicans On PA Senate Environmental Committee Report Out Bills To Eliminate Carbon Pollution Reduction Program Covering Power Plants, Establish Independent Energy Office [PaEN]
-- PA Republican Senator To Introduce Bill Suspending State Taxes On Natural Gas Producers; Cut DEP Permit Fees; End Drilling Moratorium On DCNR Lands; Exempt Coal-Fired Power Plants From EPA Regulations [PaEN]
-- Gov. Shapiro Reaches Agreement With PJM To Prevent Unnecessary Price Hikes And Save Consumers Over $21 Billion On Utility Bills [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Inquirer: Escalating Demand And Diminished Supply Has Spiked PUC Concern About The Future Ability Of State’s Electric Grid
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: PennEnvironment Warns Of Environmental, Cost Impact Of A.I. Buildout
-- Marcellus Drilling News: China’s A.I. Announcement Tanks US Stocks, Including Shale Gas Drillers [PDF of Article]
-- Utility Dive: Generator, Advanced Nuclear Stocks Reel As China’s Low-Cost DeepSeek A.I. Chills Load Growth Outlook
-- Reuters: US Power Stocks Plummet As China’s DeepSeek A.I. Raises Data Center Demand Doubts
-- Bloomberg: A.I. Fueled Stock Rally Dealt $1 Trillion Blow By Chinese A.I. DeepSeek
-- The Guardian: ‘Sputnik Moment’: $1 Trillion Wiped Off US Stocks After Chinese Firm
-- UGI Gas Division Filed A Request With PUC To Increase Residential Gas Rates By 10.8%
-- Scranton Times: UGI Seeking To Raise Natural Gas Rates 10.8% For Residential Customers
-- NYT: Oil, Gas Companies Embrace New President, But Not ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ [No Plans To Increase Production Unless Prices Rise Significantly]
-- PA Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition Doubles-Down On Support For Exporting PA Natural Gas To China, Our Economic, Military Competitor [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Beech Hollow 215 MW Solar, 100MW Battery Energy Project On Waste Coal Pile In Washington County Has Been Abandoned Due To Uncertainties Over Reclamation Of Waste Pile
-- Reuters: Diversified Energy To Buy Permian Basin Oil & Gas Producer Maverick In $1.3 Billion Deal [Diversified Specializes In Buying Old Wells]
[Posted: January 28, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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