Any doubt about the level of public concern over Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania should be put to rest by the turnout at a series of citizens hearings over the past six weeks. Hundreds came out to testify about the impacts of drilling in their communities at hearings held by the Citizens Marcellus Shale Commission in Williamsport, Towanda, Philadelphia, suburban Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
Any doubt about the level of public concern over Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania should be put to rest by the turnout at a series of citizens hearings over the past six weeks. Hundreds came out to testify about the impacts of drilling in their communities at hearings held by the Citizens Marcellus Shale Commission in Williamsport, Towanda, Philadelphia, suburban Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.
In the state Legislature, momentum is building among lawmakers to get tougher on Exxon, Andarko, Shell, and the other big natural gas drillers that have been extracting this non-renewable resource tax-free for the past three years. Legislators remember coal: when this industry is gone, we want to have something to show for it.
Every other state with significant mineral wealth is taxing it, and most use that revenue to educate the next generation’s workforce, protect our environment, maintain transportation and information networks, and otherwise build a stronger economy. Because we know this boom won’t last forever, we need to lay the groundwork for a better future for our children and grandchildren.
Let’s not give the big gas companies a free pass on this one. Add your voice to the growing movement for a meaningful, competitive shale tax that allows both drillers and ordinary Pennsylvanians to thrive — and thrive for the long haul. Sign a letter sponsored by Better Choices for Pennsylvania calling on lawmakers and the Governor to enact a responsible drilling tax.