Published in the Tribune-Democrat, by Dave Sutor

September 30, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett promoted what he called his “all-of-the-above-and-below strategy for energy” during a campaign rally in downtown Johnstown on Tuesday

He discussed his goal to develop multiple sources – wind, solar, nuclear, timber, hydro and coal – when joined by a packed room of supporters inside the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center. Most specifically, though, he talked about the burgeoning Marcellus Shale natural gas industry and how it can impact the commonwealth.

“Ten years ago, we didn’t know what Marcellus was. I didn’t know it. ... If you don’t know it today, wow, especially in western Pennsylvania,” Corbett, a Republican, said.

“We understand what it’s doing here in western Pennsylvania. It’s making a difference. It’s providing the energy.”

One of the city’s leading businessmen, Bill Polacek, president and CEO of JWF Industries, spoke in support of Corbett. Polacek recently opened Environmental Tank & Container, a division of JFW that manufactures fluid storage and oilfield equipment.

“For nearly 40 years, we’ve been praying to God to have some big industry rain jobs down upon us,” Polacek said. “Well, guess what? Gov. Tom Corbett has put that big industry in Pennsylvania. It’s right below our feet. It’s called the gas industry. I personally saw his vision and opened up the new division of Environmental Tank & Container.”

Corbett also rallied support for his ongoing election campaign against Democratic challenger Tom Wolf.

“What we’re here to do today is win a second term, so we can help you,” Corbett said.

“I want to support energy in Pennsylvania. It supports the Pennsylvania economy. It supports you, your families, and it allows you to hopefully get your children to move home.”

He received support from several speakers, including U.S. Army Ranger Sean Parnell, who spent almost 500 days fighting along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.

“Gov. Tom Corbett is a man of integrity of impeccable moral character,” Parnell said.

“He’s a man that will put the needs of the people of this commonwealth before his own, 100 percent of the time."

(Dave Sutor, "Corbett rallies with supporters," Tribune-Democrat, 9/30/14)