Post by melody on May 7, 2014 16:56:06 GMT -5
SENATOR STACK TOUTS NATURAL GAS TAX BILL
By Kati Lawson, PLS
5/6/4
Sen. Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia) said he considers himself between the two extreme sides of the Marcellus Shale natural gas tax debate, and that is why he is proposing a legislative package to regulate the natural gas extraction industry in Pennsylvania.
“I think we have a great opportunity with our natural gas to make Pennsylvania a leader in natural gas and then exporting it, using it as fuel, and using it to make our environment clean,” stated Sen. Stack. “We can be a pro-development, pro-industry state that also protects the natural environment.”
Sen. Stack said he sought out former Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary John Hanger when he was crafting the legislation because Hanger balanced business and environmental interests during his time at DEP. He called for more inspection so there is accountability among the natural gas development industry.
Hanger said he was proud to stand with Sen. Stack and support the legislation because the issue is important politically as well as economically and environmentally. “I hope and believe that if we pass Sen. Stack’s legislation we can make sure all Pennsylvanians are winners from the development and production of gas,” pointed out Hanger.
Hanger told the story of an elderly man in Bradford County whose drinking water well was contaminated by fracking. He explained the man is facing a “long and horrible struggle” with both the gas industry and DEP. Hanger said Pennsylvanians are also upset because most other states have a drilling tax which they use to fund education. He called the legislation broad in scope and said it addresses many of the critical problems occurring in the natural gas development industry today.
Sen. Stack said the legislation, which has not yet been introduced, will establish a severance tax of five percent to coincide with the existing impact fee. He said enacting the legislation will restore citizens’ faith in the government and natural gas industry. He explained the legislation will also require gas drillers to pay twice the property value of property that has been contaminated by fracking. Sen. Stack also explained the legislation will seek to ban the dumping of any untreated wastewater, create an easy-to-use DEP website, and limit flaring of natural gas at well sites.
Hanger explained a vast majority of the chemicals used in fracking are already available on DEP’s website; however, he has never found the site particularly easy to navigate.
Sen. Stack said he believes there is bipartisan support for a reasonable extraction tax. He called the tax “reasonable now more than ever because of the tough budget,” and said he is willing to work with the majority members to pass the legislative package.
By Kati Lawson, PLS
5/6/4
Sen. Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia) said he considers himself between the two extreme sides of the Marcellus Shale natural gas tax debate, and that is why he is proposing a legislative package to regulate the natural gas extraction industry in Pennsylvania.
“I think we have a great opportunity with our natural gas to make Pennsylvania a leader in natural gas and then exporting it, using it as fuel, and using it to make our environment clean,” stated Sen. Stack. “We can be a pro-development, pro-industry state that also protects the natural environment.”
Sen. Stack said he sought out former Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary John Hanger when he was crafting the legislation because Hanger balanced business and environmental interests during his time at DEP. He called for more inspection so there is accountability among the natural gas development industry.
Hanger said he was proud to stand with Sen. Stack and support the legislation because the issue is important politically as well as economically and environmentally. “I hope and believe that if we pass Sen. Stack’s legislation we can make sure all Pennsylvanians are winners from the development and production of gas,” pointed out Hanger.
Hanger told the story of an elderly man in Bradford County whose drinking water well was contaminated by fracking. He explained the man is facing a “long and horrible struggle” with both the gas industry and DEP. Hanger said Pennsylvanians are also upset because most other states have a drilling tax which they use to fund education. He called the legislation broad in scope and said it addresses many of the critical problems occurring in the natural gas development industry today.
Sen. Stack said the legislation, which has not yet been introduced, will establish a severance tax of five percent to coincide with the existing impact fee. He said enacting the legislation will restore citizens’ faith in the government and natural gas industry. He explained the legislation will also require gas drillers to pay twice the property value of property that has been contaminated by fracking. Sen. Stack also explained the legislation will seek to ban the dumping of any untreated wastewater, create an easy-to-use DEP website, and limit flaring of natural gas at well sites.
Hanger explained a vast majority of the chemicals used in fracking are already available on DEP’s website; however, he has never found the site particularly easy to navigate.
Sen. Stack said he believes there is bipartisan support for a reasonable extraction tax. He called the tax “reasonable now more than ever because of the tough budget,” and said he is willing to work with the majority members to pass the legislative package.