Jun. 14, 2019
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY – Reps. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), and Joshua Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) spoke at a press conference here today to stress the importance of the House’s Energize PA legislative package. Specifically, Fritz highlighted his PIPE Investment Program legislation,
House Bill 1103, which would make affordable natural gas equally available for manufacturers and residents of the Commonwealth.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is that we pass this crucial legislative package,” said Fritz. “Not only will my legislation, and my colleagues’ legislation, benefit those who reside in the Commonwealth, but it will essentially grow our economy, add thousands of family-sustaining jobs, and attract other manufacturers to invest in our state.”
Fritz’s House Bill 1103 would make grants available to construct the last few miles of distribution lines to business parks and existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, accelerate beneficial deployment of low-cost energy, and result in the creation of new economic base jobs in the Commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents.
House Bill 1103 has passed out of the House Finance Committee and is before the full House for consideration.
Turzai, who has been leading the Energize PA initiative, said, “Now we have the potential to fully maximize the oil and gas opportunity. The right public policies combined with the right cooperation from the private sector can generate a $60 billion increase in Pennsylvania Gross Domestic Product (GDP), support the addition of 100,000 new jobs and potentially increase state revenues by $2 to $3 billion.”
Kail, who also sponsored a bill in the package said, “ Pennsylvania faces a unique opportunity to unleash the full value of its natural resources and tap into sustainable economic and job growth for decades to come, but we need to be smart about what we’re doing in Harrisburg. I’m excited to partner with my colleagues to help bring more manufacturing opportunities and more jobs to areas across the state.”
Kail’s
House Bill 1102 would create the Keystone Energy Enhancement Act (KEEA). It is designed to encourage capital investment in Pennsylvania’s natural gas and manufacturing industries.
Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming), who was also on hand to learn more about this initiative, said, “Pennsylvania desperately needs a comprehensive infrastructure investment package. However, work remains to be done on deciding how to fairly determine the project priorities for funding, and in formulating a more productive financing mechanism than the governor's obsession with a severance tax targeting one industry, that will put an unreasonable burden on constituents that infrastructure improvements are meant to help.”
Fritz and Kail are two of eight other bill sponsors included in the House’s “Energize PA” initiative, which is a pro-growth, pro-jobs legislative package designed to push for job growth and revitalize infrastructure with no new fees or taxes.
Other Energize PA bill sponsors include: Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne), Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland), Mike Puskaric (R-Washington/Allegheny) and Tim O’Neal (R-Washington).
Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abby Krueger
717.260.6617
akrueger@pahousegop.com