Feb. 03, 2025
ORWIGSBURG— Rep. Jamie Barton (R-Berks/Schuylkill), Policy Committee Chairman David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), and other lawmakers hosted a hearing last Friday in Schuylkill County titled “Stopping New Energy Taxes” to analyze how unfavorable energy policies negatively impact consumers and businesses and drive investments outside of Pennsylvania.
Testifiers included Robert Carl, president and CEO, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce; Keith Masser, chairman and CEO, Sterman Masser; Clayton Bubeck, president and CEO, Rettew; and Pastor Doug Cresswell, Faith Church.
The testifiers agreed that unfavorable energy policy proposals from Gov. Josh Shapiro, like RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), PRESS (Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard), and PACER (Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act), scare away potential investment in Pennsylvania; cause increased cost of utilities; and perpetuate the unreliable energy supply.
“We are lucky to live in a place with so much energy potential,” Barton said. “Why would we penalize our energy producers rather than support them? The governor always talks about wanting to compete with other states, yet his administration proposes policies that hurt our Commonwealth in the very place where we can get a leg up. Now more than ever, we need reliable, low-cost energy. Let’s unlock our energy potential and stop stifling it.”
“Throughout American history, Pennsylvania has been a leader in energy production. Our goals are to ensure that Pennsylvania remains an energy leader—one that prioritizes affordability, reliability, and economic growth—and to make it possible for every Pennsylvanian to achieve the American Dream,” said Rowe. “Governor Shapiro is positioning us for failure at a time when we’re already falling to the bottom. We must stop him from implementing new energy taxes and exporting Pennsylvania’s heritage industries to Ohio.”
To watch the complete hearing, visit
pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.
Representative Jamie Barton
124th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jake Gillespie
717.772.9834
jgillespie@pahousegop.com
repbarton.com