Just in time for the holidays, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) quietly gave the gift of more affordable electricity to millions of Pennsylvanians. PECO Energy Company, a leading Pennsylvania utility, had requested a significant distribution rate increase – meaning higher bills for its approximately 1.6 million electric customers. After months of discussion, last week… Keep reading →
Sometimes, amid the back and forth of discussions over energy policy, it’s helpful to talk about the real-world impacts of various policy choices. Right now in Pennsylvania, there’s a vigorous debate going on over a proposed natural gas severance tax that would supersede the state’s existing impact fee — vigorous because the impact fee has… Keep reading →
Pennsylvania’s Natural Gas Industry Challenged by Regulatory Changes While a number of regulatory changes could slow Pennsylvania’s oil and gas expansion, its resource deposits will continue to attract steady growth. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed natural gas severance tax would significantly increase the effective tax rate for shale gas producers in the state, and ongoing… Keep reading →
OK, many already know the US lacks a comprehensive energy policy, but an IEA study released this week reaches that same conclusion. The long-term nature of energy development projects does not mesh well with 2-year and 4-year election cycles. “A chief obstacle in US energy policy a lack of clarity, the report says. This month’s… Keep reading →
In a decision loaded with potential economic and political consequence, the Cuomo administration today ended years of tortured consideration and said New York state would move to ban hydraulic fracturing, the controversial technique that uses pressurized fluids and sand to extract gas and oil from shale rock formations. At an Albany cabinet meeting, Acting Health… Keep reading →
As expected, this week blew through the Columbus Day holiday and into a flurry of legislative activity. Dozens of bills went back and forth between the chambers this week, and many have already landed on the governor’s desk. Additionally, the Corbett administration announced a resolution in the five-year dispute over Mcare fund transfers and assessments.
Despite the long days and daily – sometimes multiple – Rules Committee meetings, there still isn’t quite enough time to get everything crossed off the legislative to-do list. While big-ticket items like pension reform and liquor privatization have fallen into the dust heap of this session’s history, the two chambers are wrapping up other last minute details, some of which stand to have significant impact in the areas of health care and human services, economic development and tax credits. Both the House and the Senate added a voting session day. Originally, the House and Senate were both to have adjourned until after the November 4 election as of Wednesday, but the Senate added Thursday, October 16 as a voting day, and the House added Monday, October 20.
US military veterans are often a great fit for oil & gas industry jobs and Pennsylvania has developed numerous programs to help make that connection. “The traits that the military imparts on the men and women — loyalty, courage, safety, commitment, leadership, teamwork — are all valued by employers in this industry,” said Dave Pistner,… Keep reading →
Pennsylvania Natural Gas Development Leading to Reverse Brain Drain Times Online (Pennsylvania): Matt Curry moved to Texas for work but kept his treasured Steelers season tickets in the hope he might return someday to western Pennsylvania. After graduating from Penn State with a degree in petroleum engineering, Curry didn’t have much of a choice but… Keep reading →
The Pennsylvania Health Department was criticized last month for not doing enough to address heath concerns associated with Marcellus Shale development activities, and as a result recently announced changes designed to facilitate the complaint handling process. “The department’s priority is to address the public’s concerns, whether they are about environmental health in general or specifically… Keep reading →
