Warren Kampf: Marcellus Shale 'Can't Be Ignored'
The state Rep. held a town hall on July 30 at Phoenixville Area High School.
Though the voters who gathered last night at Phoenixville Area High School for state Rep. Warren Kampf’s (R-157) town hall meeting hailed overwhelmingly from Chester and Montgomery counties, the questions they peppered the incumbent with reflected concerns that were considerably less provincial.
In the two hour back and forth, a majority of the queries Kampf fielded were variations on four themes with national implications: in the wake of the Aurora massacre, gun control; the new voter ID law critics charge was motivated by partisan, not antifraud, concerns; natural gas extraction; and the management of the state’s profoundly underfunded pension system.
Today, we’ll look at the Republican’s views on Act 13, and the issues surrounding the extraction of Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas reserves.
The Marcellus Shale
Kampf defended the legislature’s controversial passage of Act 13—a law regulating the extraction of natural gas in the state—by first pointing out that it's almost certainly better than what it replaced: namely, nothing. Kampf reminded the audience that the first hydraulic fracking well was drilled in the state ten years back, but Act 13, the first meaningful regulation of the industry in Pennsylvania, was passed just six months ago. He called the law an “excellent start towards handling the shale” albeit one that was “well overdue.”
In defense of the law’s content—which critics charge benefits energy companies at the expense of the commonwealth’s taxpayers and gas-rich municipalities—he argued that it mandates drillers pay a steep impact fee and establishes water management, well permitting, and bonding requirements, and a host of other “pretty comprehensive” regulations.
The impact fee, he said, amounts to $500 million a year: 60 percent of which goes to the counties who are drilled in—moneys which they can use towards prescribed purposes like infrastructure, police and fire, zoning and planning, and housing—and 40 percent of which goes to the state. He added that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection gets a “substantial” portion of these state dollars.
And though the law has gotten some pushback from the judicial branch, he said its objections strike him as wrongheaded. Kampf disagrees with the Commonwealth Court’s July 26 ruling that a portion of the law that blocked municipalities from exercising certain controls over gas extraction on their land was unconstitutional.
“[The ruling is] somewhat at odds with what I know about zoning law,” he said, adding that the provision just aims to prevent municipalities from “discriminating against drilling, in the same way you can’t discriminate against any other industrial activity.”
He added that the court struck down another aspect of the law granting the state DEP the right to waive setback requirements—rules governing the proximity to, for example, buildings and water supplies at which drillers can operate—because the law didn’t provide standards for when the agency could grant exemptions.
“We’re probably going to have revisit that particular piece,” Kampf said.
The Rep. added that, on a more local level, the state legislature voted on June 30 to put a moratorium on drilling in the still untouched South Newark Basin—a natural gas resevoir that extends into northern Chester County—until the DEP can do further study on the consequences of tapping it. The moratorium will last three years.
But while he affirmed the value of local control, he suggested that Pennsylvania's gas reserves might be too crucial to the state to leave to its municipalities. They're an enormous engine of economic growth.
“I respect local zoning,” Kampf said, “[but] I also have to say that the Marcellus Shale is something that Pennsylvania cannot ignore.”
In a moment when the economy is still faltering, he said natural gas extraction has already created 250,000 jobs and should create 250,000 more if its reserves are fully exploited.
ed r.
8:09 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
No amount of money will ever reverse the permanent environmental impact gas drilling will have on our natural resources. Bottom line.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
1:40 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
There are people that have reported bad well water to the PADEP over a year ago and they have not been there to test their water yet. Corbett and Kampf won't go and see these people. They don't care, as long as they get some hefty checks from the drillers for their campaigns.
Dory Hippauf
8:18 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Once you Frack you can't go Back
Jay Beckerman
6:53 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
But you could tax the hell out of it, since most of it is being, and always will be, sold out of state. That enriches the few at the expense of the many. Typical Republican manipulation.
Christian DeVol
8:36 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Pennsylvanians need to learn the history of the amazing cleanup of the Schuylikill River, which took decades and billions of Public Dollars to clean up the mess made by Coal Companies. Sadly, it seems that our legislators have sold out the Public once again to the big Fossil Fuel companies. That said, Natural Gas is way cleaner than "clean coal(which does not exist)".
Liz Rosenbaum
9:42 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
You left out the ending of the story... Pennsylvania then sells most of the dams along the Schuylkill to Exelon Energy.
David Curran
8:43 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thanks for the well written article Tom.
karlub
8:52 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Excellent piece, Tom.
In regards to the merits of extraction, we all have to come to peace with the notion that energy use is a matter of prioritization. Every energy choice has environmental externalities at the point of extraction.
The question is not "Should we extract gas or not." The question is "How does the cost of extracting gas-- both economically and environmentally-- compare to other options."
Gas is cleaner and more abundant domestically than other fossil fuels. It also easily fits into the transportation sector. The environmental cost is notable, but manageable when compared to deep-water oil drilling or strip mining.
So, given wise regulation that holds energy concerns accountable for environmental impact, it seems to me that extraction of the gas in the Marcellus is the best possible answer both for the nation and the Commonwealth. Because unless we all plan on-- tomorrow-- using the same amount of energy per capita that people used in 1925, we're going to have to do *something*.
What about solar, or wind? Or harnassing tidal power? Or greater use of geothermal mechanisms for HVAC? All these things are important, and will inform our future energy needs. But we need an answer that works today. Not tomorrow. Gas is the best available option to get us to tomorrow.
MA
9:00 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I think the gas luddites are too funny, while the type on their electrically powered gadgets full of arsenic, lithium, gallium, gold, silver and rare earth minerals as they drive to their jobs work in gas powered cars. They sit comfortably in their plastic and polyester chairs in climate-controlled rooms. They don’t mind living off the mineral and resource extraction industries as long as they’re NIMBY.
BTW, the largest polluting industry in Pennsylvania is agriculture. Where is your outrage?
ed r.
9:24 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
You make a lot of assumptions about people. A lot of which I'm sure are probably wrong.
BTW, commercial agriculture is an environmental hazard of course. A 5 year old knows that. Sustainable agriculture is what a lot of people who oppose gas drilling support.
MA
10:18 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
No assumptions, just observations. Environmentalists have a lot of wonderful ideas, but have not demonstrated their ability to solve the problems we have. They want to ignore natural resources because extracting them is dirty, but I’ll bet you have a ‘cool and hip’ iPhone/iPod made by slave labor in some desperately polluted country.
I’ll also bet you have CFL light bulbs all over your house, even though the people that make them in Asia are dying of mercury poisoning. Environmentalism in the US isn’t about THE environment, it’s about YOUR environment. And if that means shifting our pollution to another country where we can’t see it, so much the better. If we don’t use the gas that we have here, we’ll simply import it from somewhere were the environmental laws are not as strict.
.
11:24 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
MA, I can't speak for Ed but my point isn't we should forget about using natural gas but that we need to better regulate this industry. Right now Corbett has given the drillers free reign to do what ever they please. The regulations were created by the drilling executives themselves (appointed by Corbett) and put our enviornment at grave risk. If natural gas can help get us off oil, I'm all for it but lets do it the right way. Let's make sure they drill safely and pay their fare share of taxes. Right now PA is the ONLY state in the union that doesn't have an extraction tax (yes even Texas does). The "impact fee" is a joke and saves the gas companies billions while we are forced to cut basic education and human services statewide due to a lack of revenue. The drillers figured it was cheaper to buy the Governor and a few House Reps than pay the taxes any other state in the union would expect and demand. So far they were right....
karlub
12:31 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
To Mr. Hurtz:
You say "The drillers figured it was cheaper to buy the Governor and a few House Reps than pay the taxes any other state in the union would expect and demand. So far they were right...."
Is this supposition on your part, or do you have campaign finance data that lead you to this conclusion? If you have that data, could you please share it?
Similar sourcing on the claim that "The regulations were created by the drilling executives," would be welcome as well.
The latter can certainly be a problem in any industry that is heavily regulated by the State, from agriculture to education to, yes, energy. This is one reason, actually, to keep state regulatory authority clearly defined and narrow.
.
1:06 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
karlub - Here are just a few sources:
http://articles.philly.com/2010-10-19/news/24982706_1_gas-industry-tom-corbett-campaign-donations
http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-29/news/29717481_1_corbett-campaign-tom-corbett-marcellus-shale
On paper during the 2010 campaign alone, gas drilling companies gave Corbett $835,720. Lord know how much more under the table. He reward them by appointing a gas and coal executives to several high level environmental posts as well as to head up the committee in charge of Marcellus Shale policy.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/reaping-the-riches-corbetts-gas-advisers-give-industry-control-in-pa-287005/
http://www.propublica.org/article/pennsylvanias-governor-elect-nominates-insiders-for-top-environmental-posts
Those are the results of a 2 minute google search. Much, much more is available. Now go do your own homework your right wing gas bag!
karlub
2:03 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tough to follow threads, here, but:
Richard: I was more interested in the figures regarding state representatives, as they are the individuals that vote on particular legislation.
And as near as I can tell you:
1) Don't know me
2) Respond poorly to collegial and open-minded entreaties for actual communication
3) Make lots and lots of assumptions that would require lots of time to unpack
Given this, I will take care to not engage you unnecessarily in the future, as it seems to get you worked up. If, though, in the future you have anything you would like to ask *me*, please feel free. If you do so, you might be surprised at the answers.
.
2:34 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
karlub - Actually it is quite easy to follow the threads (at least for someone with average intelligence)
1) Considering that you post in every available Phoenixville related forum, I think we all have seen enough of your BS to express opinions and counterpoints to your comments.
2) You ask for answers and sources but disregard them when they don't fit your narrow narrative then hide behind self righteous drivel in a lame attempt to seem "collegial and open-minded".
3) YOU make ASSumptions about people and situations and then play the "you are being mean" card when you are put your in your place using facts and reason.
Given this, I will take care to continue to point out and/or correct your foolish right wing comments when needed despite the fact it seems to get you worked up. If, though, in the future you decide to engage in a real debate and don't run off running crying like a little punk when you are proven wrong, please feel free. If you do so, you might be surprised that you have a lot to learn.
karlub
2:40 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I was actually looking for a question in there, Richard, that invited conversation. Because I would dearly like to avoid being seen as someone who runs away from a debate. But couldn't find it.
But perhaps that's because I am of below-average intelligence!
In which case I will reiterate my previous invitation: Feel free to ask me whatever question you want. Just, in the future, don't get too worked up if I don't go out of my way to ask you any. Because, really, it's me. Not you.
Be well.
.
2:51 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
karlub - I am still waiting for any sort of intelligent reply to the FACTS I presented when you questioned if Corbett was in fact paid off by the drilling companies and how he filled key Government posts with former oil and coal executives. It was YOU that changed the sublect to "you are being mean to me" and layed out a three point missive on why you won't answer.
The funny thing about guys like you is you try so hard to appear intelligent by using a thesaurus to word all of your posts but in the end you are just another sheep parroting the talking points of your favorite team (ie political party). Happy because some greedy right wing public offical talks to you for a few minutes and then pats you on the head on the way out.
Be well....and stay thirsty my friends.
karlub
3:41 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Well, Richard, the links you provided do not provide any information about who wrote the legislation. Nor do they provide information regarding industry donations to people who wrote the legislation.
They also indicate that *less* than half of the folks on Corbett's energy advisory committee have ties to industry, and a leading Commonwealth environmentalist was "reservedly optimistic" regarding Corbett's appointee to the head the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
So I am still looking for that evidence that he is bought and paid for, and that industry hacks wrote the legislation in question. Personally, I do not actually purport to *know* the answers to those questions. You seem to have the answers right off the top of your head. Or you act like you do. Which is why I asked you.
You see, when I don't know something, I actually ask people who do what they think. Then I listen.
Also, for the record, two of my pet issues are regulatory capture when it comes to agriculture and finance. So, like I said, it seems you are assuming I have a set of positions that I do not. There's no way for you to know that, as you don't know me. But I do request you stop projecting and just stick to the plain meaning of my words as I write them.
.
3:56 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
karlub - Never have I seen someone use more words to say NOTHING! The links I provided CLEARLY prove the points I made. You have decided to play a little semantics game instead of dealing with reality. It is impossible to deal with people like you because you cherry pick the stuff that fits your view and ignore everything else. I really hope that you and your family end up drinking water poisoned by gas drillers. Maybe then you will get it. Doubtful but maybe.
Peace out.
Debbie - I moved your post up to this thread but I'm sure this limp wristed cherry picker karlub will ignore that too as it doesn't fit his narrow view:
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
3:43 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
This link tells you exactly what Corbett got, and all others up to a certain date. I don't believe 2012 is on there yet.
http://marcellusmoney.org/candidate/corbett-tom
.
9:05 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Corbett is bought and paid for by the gas companies. He has made no effort to hide this fact and has basically told anyone who will listen that his number one concern doing the bidding of the gas companies. Elections have consequences and as long as uninformed people continue to vote for people like Corbett and Warren "My" Kampf, the interest of the people and the environment will be pushed aside for the profits of a few.
karlub
9:40 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Playing the Nazi card? Seriously? You do know that makes it very difficult for people to pay attention to what you're saying, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
3:43 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
This link tells you exactly what Corbett got, and all others up to a certain date. I don't believe 2012 is on there yet.
http://marcellusmoney.org/candidate/corbett-tom
karlub
3:51 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
That is very helpful, Debbie. Thanks!
For what it is worth, the figures for the legislators do not strike me as especially large, given what their campaigns cost.
This seems like a sickening thing to say, in a way. But really, ultimately, it isn't. One man's infernal lobbyist (fracker) is another man's public-minded citizen petitioning government (AFSCME). And vice-versa.
It seems to me those that are opposed to the current state of play with the Marcellus are best concentrating on the nuts and bolts of the legislation and regulation rather than notions of conspiracy.
And, we should all note, those opponents are doing an excellent and vocal job! An organized campaign that puts its money where its mouth is on this issue could easily match-- or swamp-- the figures that industry currently donates to the actual legislators. And that is where the rubber will meet the road on this issue: In the General Assembly.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
3:52 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Richard Hurtz. You are right. He is their pawn and all the Republican lawmakers fell for it. Hope it results in them not getting elected. This just in.
http://www.examiner.com/article/corbett-administration-presses-on-despite-poor-shale-gas-financials
karlub
3:56 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Oh, and as it relates to this thread (thanks again, Debbie) we should probably note that Rep. Kampf has taken in just over $3000k from these interests.
To give people context, his race-- between him and Paul Drucker-- will probably cost in excess of 100x that amount. So, at least, I don't think we have to worry that Mr. Kampf is "bought and paid for" by these interests.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
4:23 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
This might be more information than any of you wanted, but here's the skinny on each member of the Marcellus Shale Coalition and the Act 13 legislation.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9tP1cRHZ8J_MG96bHotOHhKRDg/edit?pli=1
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
4:34 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thanks Richard. I'm sure no matter how much you show them, they will still be on the river Denial. Here's another one.
http://commonsense2.com/2012/06/naturalgasdrilling/marcellus-shale-coalition-in-the-lobby/
David Curran
5:08 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Excellent links Deb, I view the gas deposits in this state as a blessing, but something that should be pursued with the utmost caution. The way the current legislature and governor just jump into things (fracking, photo ID) and then have to back peddle (exlusions from drilling in certain areas, easing of photo ID requirement) just leaves me shaking my head in frustration.
.
10:07 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
karlub, I simply did a little word play with his name. If you find it "difficult to pay attention to what I am saying", DON'T LISTEN! Keeping voting for guys like Corbett and Warren "My" Kampf.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moron
www.justmorons.com/test.html
karlub
12:34 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
You have no clue who I vote for, thank you very much.
Although, for the record, Mr. Kampf has been very accessible and forthright when I have approached him with questions. Has your experience been different?
I do not expect politicians to agree with me all the time, but I do expect them to accord me their time, as I am a (usually) a constituent. He has absolutely delivered in this regard when compared to his predecessor.
.
1:21 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Yeah, it is pretty clear who you voted for karlub- Isn't Rush Limbaugh on now? Go listen for some more talking points and get back to us.....sigh!
James Smith
10:48 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Apparently Marcellus Shale CAN be ignored if the citizens attending these meetings are not informed enough to stay on topic.
“[The ruling is] somewhat at odds with what I know about zoning law,” he said
The least informed seems to be Mr. Kampf himself.
The newly past bill, Act 13, effectively leaves municipalities at the whim of Harrisburg as it relates to the municipality protecting it's residents with it's existing zoning laws and ordinances. Municipalities were given very little time with little resources to come into compliance with Act 13. If compliance with Act 13 was not meet, the municipalities zoning would effectively become invalid and any zoning request by the gas companies would be approved by the State. Municipalities would not favor from being absent from these zoning decisions and the municipality would lose a valuable tool meant to protect it's residents and property values. The Commonweath Court ruling puts this part of Act 13 in question.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
1:31 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
That's all well and good if you are lucky enough NOT to live in a Marcellus Shale zone, but what about us that are? Just the news of the well coming very near me sent my property value tumbling! It put my life and health in danger. I have to test my well water every morning and evening now. My homeowners insurance will skyrocket upon renewal, and that's if I can get any. People that don't live it just don't understand that Corbett, and apparently Mr. Kampf did all this for their gas buddies and it's killing us and costing us more. I just lost my entire retirement when this well came. I counted on my home value to be my retirement. What if that were you???
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
10:54 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I am certainly hoping the Democrat challenger wins in November. Kampf is clearly out of touch with reality! I know. A well is being drilled right by me. It's a nightmare that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy!
Corbett is appealing only because he knows that he set all of his Republican Senators and Legislators up for a loss this fall. He was depending on the campaign contributions of the gas companies to fund some really tough elections and without a TOTAL GIVING of PA over to the gassers, they will withhold campaign contributions. All we can do is vote Democrat in the fall and take away Corbett's loonies that thought it was ok to take away all of our rights.
Rebecca Lynn
12:36 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
If a Republican is willing to challenge Corbett in the primary, s/he has my vote.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
1:25 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Wouldn't you vote for a Democrat, if Corbett won the Republican primary?
Mike
1:33 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Natural gas will be the bridge between fossil fuels powering our homes and cars to green energy. Green energy is not and will not be ready to fill our nations energy needs for several decades. I for one am tired of wars for oil and the strangle hold OPEC has over our economy. Liberals are really hypocritical on this issue. Natural gas will cut down on carbon pollution while bringing jobs back to PA and America. As long as gas companies do not dump the fracking fluid into the water or there is a blow out it is nearly impossible to pollute our water supply. The Corbett administration has mandated that the fluid is too be recycled and treated. Corbett got that right and now he just needs to tax them a little.
.
2:41 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Mike, most people are fine with using natural gas and encouraged that we have a lot of it in PA. What we don't like is that the drillers and frackers have been allowed to polute our water with near impunity AND they are getting huge tax breaks at a time when the state desperately needs revenue just to keep basic services and education going.
When one of the largest aquifers in the United States is in real danger of being poluted by frackers treating our land like it's the 1800s gold rush, it is not a "liberal" or "conservative" issue. Your claims that it is "impossible" to polute the water is a joke. We heard similar claims about the deep sea oil wells before one blew up (due to lax regulation) and spilled MILLLION of gallons of oil into the sea.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
3:46 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Are you kidding me Mike? I have seen the reports of the failed wells in PA. What they report and what is real are two very different things.
Krancer is a joke! A friend of mine has severely polluted well water from the Chesapeake wells around her farm and has waited over a year and still no one from DEP will follow up on it. She just lost her whole retirement! A farm is worth nothing if it has no water.
ed r.
3:57 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Debbie, obviously you are just spreading liberal propaganda. Faux News told me nobody has dirty water up there. So your friend must be wrong, maybe she gambled her money away at the goat races and the polluted water is just a result of bad karma because she voted for Obama in 2008.
.
4:03 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Ed, sadly people like karlub actually think this way...they are so brainwashed that you can not reason with them.
Liz Rosenbaum
4:19 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Debbie's right. I would rather pay more for energy than buy cheap gas from a "sacrifice zone". Corbett and his cronies have really sold Pennsylvania out cheap.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
3:24 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Thanks. We were sold out. Why would Corbett and Kampf give this industry more than any other industry is, or ever was allowed? Paying a little more now, saves my kids and grandkids future.
Daniel Pipes
9:14 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Can anyone tell me how much campaign money Ed Rendell and the Dems took from gas companies from '05 to '08 when they had total controll of Harrisburg?
To DZL,how come you don't hold your neighbors responsible for selling the mineral rights to their property?
Where is the outrage for:
1. $ 900 MIL in failed stimulas. 8.2 % unemployment for 40 months.
2. Billions in lost taxpayer $ to green
energy like Solyndra and the like.
3. A thousand Chrysler and GM dealerships shut down. Zero return to stockholders.
4. Millions of GM debt forgiven.
5. Soon to be a trillion for Obamacare.
6. $ 741 million taken out of Medicare for Obamacare.
7.Food prices thru the roof.
These are just some examples. Just sayin.
ed r.
9:22 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Why don't we keep our outrage on topic, as I can list just as many f' ups the republican side of the aisle has had in recent years.
The bottom line is gas drilling is hazardous to our health. And the environment isn't a partisan issue. Making it into one is idiotic. That's what you should be outraged about.
.
9:29 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Daniel Pipes - Your name is fitting as it appears you have been smoking the Fox News crack "pipes" for some time. You really need to go to rehab....
Jay Beckerman
9:12 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012
1. The stimulus just wasn't big enough. It put a lot of people to work for a while.
2. Chinese dumping of solar panels sank Solyndra; Bush administrators wouldn't go after the Chinese in the WTO.
3. There were too many dealerships; most survived.
4. That is what bankruptcy does. But Republicans won't extend the same helping hand to students of private colleges stuck with no diplomas and no marketable skills.
5. That kind of generalization is worthless.
6. Ryan's plan takes out the same amount, and gives it to for-profit insurance companies. European countries ban for-profit health insurance, using the money for actual health care, as the U.S. should.
7. Ethanol from corn, mandated by Republicans in Congress, sugar price floors and import bans, and similar Ag distortions, are driving up food costs.
Debbie Ziegler Lambert
9:34 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I couldn't agree more. It's a people issue, but one can't help to see that the vote to take away our rights fell along party lines. That being said, we all need to stand up for our rights and support the lawyers that are fighting for our rights and make sure that if a lawmaker doesn't support our rights, as evidenced by Mr. Kampf, we do all we can to make sure they don't win the election.
http://www.doddridgenews.com/2012/07/marcellus-at-your-door-do-banks-want-to.html
Daniel Pipes
10:02 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Typical LIBERAL response. Limbaugh, Hannity, Fox. Blah blah blah. Ed I was on topic. I don't have time to listen to talking head blowhards. Just an observation with no real replys. I do care about the environme nt and fracking has been going on in Texas for over 35 yrs ask T Boone Pickens. One of the lowest unemployment rates in the country in Texas. As for the other comment, well Dick, your name says it all. Don't know how the editor lets that one get by.
Daniel Pipes
10:21 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
One more thought; NO COUNTRY HAS EVER BEEN TAXED INTO PROSPERITY.
.
11:06 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Yo Daniel "Crack" Pipes - You do realize that federal tax rates are the lowest they have been in 30 years when President Barack Obama took office and even lower then when Bush left office? This FACT comes from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which just issued the latest update of its invaluable series on “Distribution of Household Income and Federal Taxes”. The CBO’s statistical series now covers the 30 years since 1979. - Check it for yourself
So how exactly has Obama raised anyone's taxes, especially a broke fool like you who most likely gets a RETURN? He has purposed raising rates on people making more then 250K a year (which does NOT include you or 99% of Americans) but nothing has been passed yet.
Get off the Fox News crack pipe and educate yourself....
Jay Beckerman
9:23 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012
An inevitable end of concentration of wealth at the top is revolution. The French took care of their problem shortly after our colonists took care of our English problem. Redistribution of wealth restores democracy; it's a natural economic cycle. The rich first figure out how to accumulate as nearly all of it as they can by legalized theft, for instance by eliminating estate taxes and regulation of all kinds, then the dispossessed figure out how to undo that heartless theft. FDRoosevelt engineered Social Security and other safety nets; cynical current Republicans are shredding it, at their peril, in service to the rich, hoping to grab their brass rings for a ride. Republicans aren't really interested in making the tide rise for all, they are rigging the game in a greed spiral which puts all at risk.
N.C.
11:04 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
"NO COUNTRY HAS EVER BEEN TAXED INTO PROSPERITY"
That's a great line thought up by the wealthy who have grown accustomed to the lower tax rates they have enjoyed over the last ten years or more, but doesn't really help the rest of us when we have to cut teachers, firefighters and policemen in order to fund their extravagant lifestyles.
Anyway, I find it a bit hard to swallow that the notion behind letting these corporations have free reign to wreck the environment in the name of "cheaper gas" for the rest of us. The fossil fuel industry has been making money hand over fist for how long now? This hasn't stopped gas prices from going up from $0.89 a gallon back in the 90's to the $3.50 a gallon it is today. Why do we keep believing these lies they feed us over and over again? It's like the energy corps are an abusive husband and the public is the long suffering wife. "Come on baby, this time will be different, I promise!" LOL
.
11:17 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The GOP have always been masters of brainwashing the uneducated and misinformed into voting AGAINST their own interest. With a man of color currently in the White House, they have been able to take it even a step further with race based fear mongering, which always plays well with the ignorant. The "Tea Party" is a perfect example.
Daniel Pipes
11:38 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Keep ignoring the billions of wasted taxpayer dollars. You guys act like it just doesn't exist. I guess the truth Hurtz. Eh Dick.
.
11:49 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
You are all over the place Crack Pipes....first you gave a one sided and frankly incorrect list of what you dislike about what Obama has done. Then you said "NO COUNTRY HAS EVER BEEN TAXED INTO PROSPERITY" but when I pointed out that the FACT that federal tax rates are the lowest they have been in 30 years and actually dropped a bit since Obama took office, you had no reply. Now you are focusing on "wasted taxpayer dollars" without mentioning the two wars Bush got us into, which have cost more then everything on your earlier list combined.
Seriously dude, remove your lips from the Fox News crack pipe already. It's really bad for your health....
MA
12:29 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Mr. Hurtz, you say;
The regulations were created by the drilling executives themselves (appointed by Corbett)
So, if you were creating a regulation for an industry you didn't understand, and were not an expert in, who would you hire? Someone who is in that business, or someone who works at McDonald's?
Nothing scares me more than a politician who tells me he "understands" my business.
.
12:33 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
MA, I surely wouldn't let the people who stand to benefit the most write the rules. That is like asking a billionaire, "so how much tax do you think you deserve to pay"....oh yeah, Republicans want to do that too. This is a classic fox guarding the hen house situation.
Jay Beckerman
6:50 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
There are plenty of (a) academics from engineering and economics who could do a better job in behalf of the public, and (b) people from the other 49 states which impose severance taxes for the extraction of natural resources. 90% or more of the natural gas taken from Pennsylvania will be sold out of state. There no reason to not tax that, and heavily. Corbett and the Republicans say there is not enough money to fix state roads, bridges and other infrastructure and put people from this state to work doing it, but he refuses to raise taxes (he and his enablers in the legislature promised Norquist they wouldn't) to produce the money for doing that work. Norquist isn't a Pennsylvanian. This all a continuation of the "Starve The Beast" strategy worked up by the same NeoCons who promulgated the war-profiteering bonanza called the Iraq and Afghanistan wars--shift money into the military, take it out of non-military research, social programs and infrastructure work. The economic theory behind all of this is well-explained by Satyajit Das in his book "Extreme Money", and in his other excellent books. It has been going on since before Regan, but Reagan gave it the big push, which GWBush grossly overdid with his debt-ridden eight years.
Gil Zimmerman
9:13 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Oil and gas exploration is having and will have significant impacts on our state for decades to come...from a variety of directions and perspectives: environmental, political, judicial, social and certainly economic. Regardless of what side of the argument you are on, our industries and economy needs these resources to remain viable until the economics of alternative sources become a reality. Having one foot in the industry I'm encouraged by the proliferation of innovative technologies coming from private sector investments that are bringing new solutions to the market to address environmental concerns as well as maximize energy production. There are very positive albeit very quiet accomplishments being made to mitigate risks and threats to the environment, to reduce demand for water, to accelerate recycling options and to reduce physical impacts. I haven't met anyone in the business who thinks they can pollute or produce irresponsibly without consequences. As to the topic of the article: Article 13 may not be great legislation but it's a place to start. It's the only place the legislature could get to given the effects (positive or negative) of education, propaganda and lobbying - from both sides. Personally, I think local control is essential and that part of the Act needs to be fixed. As to politics and donations, every side does it. Rendell was good at it, too. Best plan is to ensure you have your ID and vote! We'll see if the next governor does better or worse.
Nemo Wine
12:45 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
(#1) they need to pay Pennsylvania 6% tax on the extracted value on top of everything else.
(#2) they need to buy insurance/bonds to cover the worst case scenarios.
mainliner
9:39 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
If you wanted to know what Rep. Kampf did with marcellus read up on the policy.
http://www.therealwarrenkampf.com/natural-gas.html