Post by pfsc on Jun 25, 2015 20:17:26 GMT -5
INDUSTRY ADVOCATES, LEGISLATORS URGE AGAINST TAX ON SHALE DEVELOPMENT
6/24/15
By Mike Howells, PLS
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry today hosted a rally in the Capitol Rotunda in opposition to additional
taxes on the state’s energy sector.
“This in fact is a jobs rally,” Chamber president Gene Barr stated, contending the energy industry in Pennsylvania, and
specifically the shale industry, is at a crossroads. After having “jumpstarted” the Pennsylvania economy, he said more
infrastructure is critical to continued growth among energy companies in the state. He warned imposing a tax could hamper
growth and risk jobs.
Dave Horn, LECET Business Development, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) – Eastern PA District
Council, whose union represents more than 25,000 workers in Pennsylvania, described how his organization’s members
have benefited from the development of shale resources in the commonwealth.
“These jobs represent a lifeline for our members,” he said. “We want to see this industry continue to grow.”
Horne said steady shale work has meant workers have been able to support their families, and expressed openness to
ongoing temporary work. “The economic impact for our workers has been immeasurable,” he said.
Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said that over the past several years there has been an “apologetic”
attitude toward the development of shale energy in Pennsylvania. He rejected this notion and said the industry has been a
boon to the state, providing jobs and economic development while moving Pennsylvania towards energy independence. He
said the commonwealth’s energy policy should be aimed at helping to continue develop the Marcellus and Utica shales. He
noted Sunoco and Range Resources have reversed a pipeline that formerly sent foreign oil to the interior of the state, and
now brings shale energy to the Marcellus Hook facility in southeast Pennsylvania to be refined.
Rep. Turzai suggested the state could take a “punitive approach,” including a de facto moratorium like in New York, or
continue providing family sustaining jobs to residents of the commonwealth.
Tim Mitchell, a third-generation Kenworth truck dealer in Pennsylvania, said five years ago the company employed 210
workers and it now supports more than 300, having expanded its presence throughout the commonwealth thanks to demand
from energy developers.
“These jobs are careers,” he said. “I would hate to see the proposed tax jeopardize the best thing Pennsylvania has
experienced in a long time.”
To Gov. Tom Wolf, Mitchell warned, “Do not make the mistake of passing such a punitive tax.”
Melissa Hodge, Director of Corporate Health for Allegheny Medical Integrated Health Services, decried the broader
implications of a severance tax, including the impact on businesses that make up its supply chain. She said Allegheny
Medical has grown 44 percent in the past two years and gone from 24 employees to 32 since December 2013.
5
“Higher energy taxes will threaten jobs and hurt thriving small businesses in Pennsylvania,” she said.
Bony Dawood, President of Pennsylvania-based Dawood Engineering, discussed his company’s involvement in producing
components for the state’s energy infrastructure. He said they have experienced the sensitivities of the energy industry in
Pennsylvania, and said their goal is to keep their employees working.
“Now could not be a worse time to consider a severance tax,” he remarked.
David Pistner, Director of Energy Initiatives at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, said the school offers more than 20
degrees directly and indirectly serving the energy industry, and also collaborates as part of ShaleNET, a joint initiative with
a focus on providing job training for critical positions in the development of shale resources.
“These jobs equate to strong families, strong communities, and a strong state,” he said.
Tim Schoen, an employee at engineering firm Borton-Lawson in Wilkes-Barre, recounted learning of the industry in college
and expressed his pride at working in a firm that deals with shale development.
Retired US Army Captain Tony Calderelli, speaking on behalf of Vets4Energy, spoke on the need for energy independence
as a national security priority. He said men and women in the military are a precious commodity.
“We need to use this precious commodity” on needs other than energy, he remarked, alluding to ventures in foreign countries.
Speaking to the presence of untapped domestic resources, he said “all we have to do is go and get it.”
Caldarelli said Pennsylvania has the “opportunity of a lifetime” to do “what is wise and just.”
Addressing a competing group calling for a tax on shale extraction, Caldarelli remarked “Are you afraid of my message…
you can’t listen to me?”
“We know what the discussions are,” said Barr, calling for a debate on education based on facts. He criticized those present
in support of a shale tax for “shouting down” a veteran. He said the industry has supplied schools with critical resources by
rejecting putting at risk the jobs and economic development of the energy sector.
A number of legislators were present in support of the rally, including Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington), Thomas
McGarrigle (R-Delaware), Elder Vogel (R-Beaver), Pat Stefano (R-Fayette), and Gene Yaw (R-Mercer), and Representatives
Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion), Steve Barrar (R-Delaware), Brian Ellis (R-Butler), Jason Ortitay (R-Washington), Kerry
Benninghoff (R-Centre), Bryan Barbin (D-Cambria), Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer), Jaret Gibbons (D-Lawrence), Kristin Hill
(R-York), Will Tallman (R-Adams), Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny), and Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler).
6/24/15
By Mike Howells, PLS
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry today hosted a rally in the Capitol Rotunda in opposition to additional
taxes on the state’s energy sector.
“This in fact is a jobs rally,” Chamber president Gene Barr stated, contending the energy industry in Pennsylvania, and
specifically the shale industry, is at a crossroads. After having “jumpstarted” the Pennsylvania economy, he said more
infrastructure is critical to continued growth among energy companies in the state. He warned imposing a tax could hamper
growth and risk jobs.
Dave Horn, LECET Business Development, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) – Eastern PA District
Council, whose union represents more than 25,000 workers in Pennsylvania, described how his organization’s members
have benefited from the development of shale resources in the commonwealth.
“These jobs represent a lifeline for our members,” he said. “We want to see this industry continue to grow.”
Horne said steady shale work has meant workers have been able to support their families, and expressed openness to
ongoing temporary work. “The economic impact for our workers has been immeasurable,” he said.
Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said that over the past several years there has been an “apologetic”
attitude toward the development of shale energy in Pennsylvania. He rejected this notion and said the industry has been a
boon to the state, providing jobs and economic development while moving Pennsylvania towards energy independence. He
said the commonwealth’s energy policy should be aimed at helping to continue develop the Marcellus and Utica shales. He
noted Sunoco and Range Resources have reversed a pipeline that formerly sent foreign oil to the interior of the state, and
now brings shale energy to the Marcellus Hook facility in southeast Pennsylvania to be refined.
Rep. Turzai suggested the state could take a “punitive approach,” including a de facto moratorium like in New York, or
continue providing family sustaining jobs to residents of the commonwealth.
Tim Mitchell, a third-generation Kenworth truck dealer in Pennsylvania, said five years ago the company employed 210
workers and it now supports more than 300, having expanded its presence throughout the commonwealth thanks to demand
from energy developers.
“These jobs are careers,” he said. “I would hate to see the proposed tax jeopardize the best thing Pennsylvania has
experienced in a long time.”
To Gov. Tom Wolf, Mitchell warned, “Do not make the mistake of passing such a punitive tax.”
Melissa Hodge, Director of Corporate Health for Allegheny Medical Integrated Health Services, decried the broader
implications of a severance tax, including the impact on businesses that make up its supply chain. She said Allegheny
Medical has grown 44 percent in the past two years and gone from 24 employees to 32 since December 2013.
5
“Higher energy taxes will threaten jobs and hurt thriving small businesses in Pennsylvania,” she said.
Bony Dawood, President of Pennsylvania-based Dawood Engineering, discussed his company’s involvement in producing
components for the state’s energy infrastructure. He said they have experienced the sensitivities of the energy industry in
Pennsylvania, and said their goal is to keep their employees working.
“Now could not be a worse time to consider a severance tax,” he remarked.
David Pistner, Director of Energy Initiatives at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, said the school offers more than 20
degrees directly and indirectly serving the energy industry, and also collaborates as part of ShaleNET, a joint initiative with
a focus on providing job training for critical positions in the development of shale resources.
“These jobs equate to strong families, strong communities, and a strong state,” he said.
Tim Schoen, an employee at engineering firm Borton-Lawson in Wilkes-Barre, recounted learning of the industry in college
and expressed his pride at working in a firm that deals with shale development.
Retired US Army Captain Tony Calderelli, speaking on behalf of Vets4Energy, spoke on the need for energy independence
as a national security priority. He said men and women in the military are a precious commodity.
“We need to use this precious commodity” on needs other than energy, he remarked, alluding to ventures in foreign countries.
Speaking to the presence of untapped domestic resources, he said “all we have to do is go and get it.”
Caldarelli said Pennsylvania has the “opportunity of a lifetime” to do “what is wise and just.”
Addressing a competing group calling for a tax on shale extraction, Caldarelli remarked “Are you afraid of my message…
you can’t listen to me?”
“We know what the discussions are,” said Barr, calling for a debate on education based on facts. He criticized those present
in support of a shale tax for “shouting down” a veteran. He said the industry has supplied schools with critical resources by
rejecting putting at risk the jobs and economic development of the energy sector.
A number of legislators were present in support of the rally, including Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington), Thomas
McGarrigle (R-Delaware), Elder Vogel (R-Beaver), Pat Stefano (R-Fayette), and Gene Yaw (R-Mercer), and Representatives
Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion), Steve Barrar (R-Delaware), Brian Ellis (R-Butler), Jason Ortitay (R-Washington), Kerry
Benninghoff (R-Centre), Bryan Barbin (D-Cambria), Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer), Jaret Gibbons (D-Lawrence), Kristin Hill
(R-York), Will Tallman (R-Adams), Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny), and Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler).