Tom Corbett's Plan to Grow Our Energy Infrastructure

Summary

Revitalizing our economy is Tom Corbett's highest priority. Pennsylvania's energy resources are a critical component to revitalizing our economy, growing job opportunities and positioning the commonwealth in the global marketplace. Tom Corbett believes that it is time to harness our energy potential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make energy affordable for all Pennsylvanians.

Plan Highlights

• Growing Our Energy Infrastructure - Tom will develop an energy policy that encourages investment in Pennsylvania's infrastructure, protects the environment and improves consumer access to affordable energy. Tom's plan will:
  • Create an infrastructure improvement tax credit program to enable businesses to invest more in our state
  • Create a Governor's Energy Executive to coordinate state energy policy, this person will be a senior advisor and will ensure the execution of policy in the best interest of our energy and environmental needs
  • Encourage energy conservation through competitive markets
  • Support competition by setting up cost-effective smart meters and achieving industry and government standards for smart grids
• Encouraging Renewable, Alternative & Clean Energy - Cleaner, greener energy use in our state is good for both our economy and our environment. Tom will work with technical schools and universities to build a skilled energy workforce that will develop Pennsylvania's biodiesel and nuclear industries, providing Pennsylvanians with safe, reliable and affordable energy.
• Cultivating Pennsylvania's Coal Resources - Coal is an abundant resource in Pennsylvania and growing the mining industry is dependent on embracing clean coal technologies, instituting less stringent regulation and expediting the permit process through transparent and efficient permit review procedures
• Developing Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale Resources - The resources of Marcellus Shale provide us with another tremendous opportunity for jobs and revenue, but we must proceed in a way that protects the environment. To do so, Tom's plan will:
  • Create a Marcellus Shale work group to advise the state and industry on legislative and regulatory changes, while also working with state agencies to ensure state parks, game lands and forests are protected
  • Promote the protection and responsible use of Pennsylvania's water supplies by protecting groundwater, supporting new technological development and creating a Marcellus Shale Advisory Board
  • Encourage citizen involvement by holding Marcellus Shale Stewardship Roundtables to foster a conversation between industry, community and government
  • Dedicate a portion of the existing royalty payments that the commonwealth receives from natural gas drilling on state land to communities that have been impacted by drilling for infrastructure improvements.
• Transitioning to Competitive Electric Markets - Creating an Energy Consumers' Bill of Rights and offering other education for consumers will allow Pennsylvanians to realize the benefits of competition by giving access to innovative rate designs, renewable energy products, and choice of a competitive supplier.
• Getting the Department of Environmental Protection Back to the Basics - DEP's core mission is to help people comply with Pennsylvania laws and regulations. The agency must be refocused to be more efficient and serve Pennsylvania better. Tom's proposals will:
  • Eliminate the permit backlog and create a Permit Decision Guarantee Program to insure decision deadlines are met
  • Administer DEP programs uniformly
  • Establish a PA Environmental Expert Loan Program to allow specialized individuals to loan their skills to the DEP
  • Notify the public one month in advance of meetings and making meet agendas and materials available for online viewing
  • Develop an education program to help businesses and local governments improve compliance rates, conservation efforts and energy efficiency opportunities

 

View a printable version of Tom Corbett's full Energy policy (PDF file)

©2010, Paid for by Tom Corbett for Governor
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