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Governor Shapiro’s PACER/PRESS Plan = Destructive Energy Tax on All Pennsylvanians 

March 13, 2024 Energy

PMA’s response to the Governor’s energy tax plan appears below. All quotes should be attributed to: David N. Taylor, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association.

“Governor Shapiro’s energy tax will cause widespread destruction in every industry in Pennsylvania. A new, additional tax on energy production will jeopardize our vital industries and undermine the hardworking women and men on our shop floors while massively subsidizing boutique ‘green’ energy monopolized by China.”

“Pennsylvania is the largest exporter of electricity, second largest producer of natural gas, and third largest producer of coal in America. We power the grid, and our production is essential to American energy leadership and national security. Governor Shapiro’s energy tax will stifle Pennsylvania’s energy production, which will weaken America.”

“At a time when inflation is a top issue facing American families, Governor Shapiro’s energy tax will cut deep into the pockets of Pennsylvania’s consumers as it will add costs on every utility bill, product, and service in our commonwealth. This consumer pain will then subsidize government-selected technologies and projects dependent on foreign inputs with demonstrated human rights abuses and exploitation of child labor.”

“Governor Shapiro’s energy tax is a solution in search of a problem as Pennsylvania has reduced CO2 emissions at a dramatic rate over the last 20 years. This reduction has been driven by efficiency, innovation, and the deployment of best-in-practice technology across all industrial sectors – and these successes can continue without destroying Pennsylvania’s economy.”

“Among Tier 1 energy sources, only solar power could possibly reach Governor Shapiro’s mandate.  The landmass needed for that many solar panels would require cutting down one-third of all Pennsylvania state forests, an area equal to Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties combined. The useful life of solar panels is roughly twenty years, after which they become toxic garbage. It is obvious that no one has considered the horrific environmental damage the Shapiro plan will cause.”

“Governor Shapiro’s energy tax is completely at odds with everything else he says he wants to do on economic development. [WV Gov.] Jim Justice and [OH Gov.] Mike DeWine should send Gov. Shapiro a bouquet of roses, or maybe a fruit basket, because the Shapiro energy tax is a clear sign to investors to go to their states, not ours.”