Apr. 30, 2019
HARRISBURG – House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and fellow legislators unveiled “Energize PA,” a pro-growth, pro-jobs legislative package that will create jobs and redevelop infrastructure with no new fees or taxes.
Turzai and the bill sponsors, Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne), Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Joshua Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland), Mike Puskaric (R-Washington/Allegheny) and Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), along with House colleagues and individuals who support the initiative, including Local 66 Operating Engineers, talked about how the eight bills will create jobs, re-use abandoned manufacturing sites, and streamline permitting processes for brownfields and other sites.
“Energize PA builds on our history – one that is steeped in energy production, innovation and manufacturing,” Turzai said. “We are a hard-working, resilient people here in Pennsylvania. This package will energize our economy so that folks have family-sustaining jobs.”
Pennsylvania has realized significant benefits from oil and gas production in Pennsylvania. For example, the industry contributes $45 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy, provides more than 300,000 family-sustaining jobs in the state, generates billions of dollars in bonus and royalty payments for Pennsylvania landowners, and provides significant reductions in air emissions, helping Pennsylvania meet Clean Power Plan goals ahead of schedule and without government interference.
Kaufer’s bill,
House Bill 1100, mirrors the existing Pennsylvania Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit that was established during the 2012-13 budget. This legislation would help large manufacturers using PA methane in production.
House Bill 1101, sponsored by Mihalek, would increase the percentage rate cap for net loss deductions, otherwise known as net operating loss (NOL), that a business may carry forward. The current percentage is 40%, and her bill increases that to 45% in taxable year 2020 and 50% in taxable year 2021.
House Bill 1102, introduced by Kail, would create the Keystone Energy Enhancement Act (KEEA). It is designed to encourage capital investment in Pennsylvania’s natural gas and manufacturing industries.
House Bill 1103, championed by Fritz, would expand Pipeline Investment Program grants. Manufacturers will have a significant competitive advantage in production costs and Pennsylvania communities will be able to attract new manufacturing enterprises with readily available access to natural gas.
Toohil’s
House Bill 1104, would require the Department of Community and Economic Development to establish a registry for abandoned manufacturing sites throughout the state. By establishing this registry, a one-stop shop for available industrial properties, the state is making it clear that PA is open for business and wants that business.
House Bill 1105, sponsored by Nelson, would further incentivize businesses to remediate properties that pose health and safety risks to our residents.
Puskaric’s
House Bill 1106 would reform the permitting process. Pennsylvania needs a regulatory and permitting structure conducive, not punitive, toward capital investment.
House Bill 1107, sponsored by O’Neal, would create an independent commission to deal solely with the DEP permit process. This means the DEP can focus on enforcing environmental laws.
“The right public policies combined with the right cooperation from the private sector can generate a $60 billion increase in Pennsylvania GDP, support the addition of 100,000 new jobs and potentially increase state revenues by $2 to $3 billion,” Turzai said. “Let’s energize PA.”
Representative Mike Turzai
Speaker of the House
28th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Christine Goldbeck
717.787.7977 (office) 570.205.0736 (cell)
cgoldbec@pahousegop.com
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