| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| State Rep. Dom Costa |
|
Costa disappointed with Marcellus plan
HARRISBURG, Feb. 10 – State Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny, said he voted against a plan that fails to adequately address the issues that face the Marcellus Shale drilling industry.
Costa stated he opposed House Bill 1950 because it doesn’t do enough to help Pennsylvania families or protect the commonwealth’s natural resources.
"This bill fails to consider the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this state,” Costa said. “It takes away local government officials’ power to regulate what is right for municipalities and basically gives natural gas companies free range without regard to the people of our communities.
"Gas drilling in Pennsylvania has the potential to bring the state a large amount of new revenue that would go a long way in helping support our residents and communities. Unfortunately, the plan that passed yesterday does not hold the industry accountable for the impacts they will have on our state.”
House Bill 1950 will give municipal governments limited authority to regulate gas drilling within their borders. The one percent impact fee imposed by the bill is less than half of the 3.07 percent that Pennsylvanians contribute in Personal Income Tax and is far less than the industry’s recommended rate of 5 percent.
Costa noted that with unemployment still a top concern among Pennsylvanians, this bill also does nothing to help create jobs within our borders.
“Many of the jobs in this industry are filled with workers from out of state – often from Texas or Oklahoma,” Costa said. “I am disappointed that there was no provision in this bill to encourage drilling companies to hire Pennsylvanians.”
The bill is headed to the governor's desk to be signed into law.
###