In response to the State House passage of HB 1100, part I of Speaker Mike Turzai’s so-called “Energize PA” agenda which will create billions of dollars in tax breaks for the natural gas industry and financially subsidize the development of new petrochemical plants across the state, Conservation Voters of PA released the following statement from Executive Director Josh McNeil.
“We have supported and previously endorsed many of the state representatives who voted for HB 1100, but their vote to use taxpayer money to subsidize cancer-causing cracker plants across Pennsylvania threatens the health of everyone in PA. With no debate, nor with concern for the future, they voted to lock Pennsylvania into a future of gas drilling and plastic production that threatens both our health and our climate. Building a petrochemical plant in every corner of the state is a deadly job-creation strategy for Pennsylvania. If we want more jobs -- and I fervently believe we must create more good-paying jobs across the state -- we should invest in clean energy production. We should not be using tax breaks to big businesses that give more Pennsylvanians cancer.”
“Lawmakers have an opportunity to protect workers and families from a future where Pennsylvania welcomes cancer-causing work places with open arms by voting no on HB 1102, 1106, and 1107.”