I believe that we need to move toward renewable energy sources for the long-term benefit to our society. However, as a society, we are not yet in a position to break our dependence on fossil fuels. This is why I strongly support a severance tax on Marcellus Shale gas drillers.
Pennsylvania is the only energy-producing state that has not enacted a meaningful severance tax on the extraction of shale for the production of natural gas. A severance tax would bring in continuous annual revenue that would allow us to address the priorities of the residents of Pennsylvania and build a stronger, more sustainable future for all of us