PA Senate Sends Petrochemical Bill to Gov. Wolf’s Desk

HARRISBURG, P.A. – The Pennsylvania State Senate today sent HB 1100 – a bill that would give tax breaks to fossil fuel plants that use fracked gas to manufacture petrochemicals – to Governor Wolf’s desk for signature. This comes at a time when Pennsylvanians increasingly want the state to invest in clean energy and clean energy jobs. The state Department of Revenue has opposed the bill due to its cost, and the Governor has made clear he intends to veto the bill.

A statement follows from Mark Szybist, Senior Attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“It’s irresponsible for the Senate to push subsidies for petrochemicals and fracking right now. They should be working to help Pennsylvanians stay safe, feed their families and keep their lights on. But this ploy to bankroll fracking and cancer-causing petrochemical plants won’t work. Governor Wolf has vowed to veto this blanket giveaway – legislators who try to override that veto would be directly imperiling their own constituents.”

For more background, read: PA's Petrochemical Subsidy Legislation: What's Next, Petrochemicals in PA: What You Need to Know, PA Needs CO2 Limits—and Strong Renewables Policy, Too

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.