JANUARY 17, 2011 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

A Blueprint for Transforming the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition.  To provide a roadmap for success in this critical endeavor, the Commonwealth Foundation has compiled a list of 80 policy recommendations for Gov. Corbett and state legi

DECEMBER 30, 2010 | Commentary by PAUL CHESSER

Gov., Legislature Should Repeal Costly Renewables Mandates

A lot can be spun from the results of the Nov. 2 elections, but one fact is uncontrovertible: Pennsylvanians are sick of centrally planned, highly regulated, gimmick-driven economic policy. It hasn't worked, and now they want results.

OCTOBER 27, 2010 | Commentary by PAUL CHESSER

Never Enough Green for Renewable Energy

According to Pennsylvania's Public Utilities Commission, the annual cost of ownership for solar energy per kilowatt-hour is over 700% more than the cost of coal, and wind energy is almost 23% more expensive than coal. Meanwhile, state government provides more than $20 million annually for grants to alternative energy projects, and in 2008, G

SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Solar Subsidies Sink State

Taxpayer grants and mandates for alternative energy undermine Pennsylvania economy

The Commonwealth Foundation expresses its displeasure with Gov. Rendell's pronouncement today of awarding more taxpayer funds for solar energy projects and advocating an increase in a mandate to buy more solar energy.

AUGUST 31, 2010 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE

Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania's Economy

Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is vital to our state's economy. But these industries, and the prosperity that accompanied them, are now threatened because they have become politically

JULY 8, 2010 | Policy Brief by PAUL CHESSER

PennFuture's Lobbying

Hypocritical, unethical, and possibly illegal

PennFuture (a.k.a. Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future), the organization founded by Pennsylvania Secretary of Environmental Protection John Hanger over 10 years ago, frequently criticizes the lobbying by traditional energy industries. But a close look at the environmental activist group shows at least questionable and hypocritical, if not u

JUNE 11, 2010 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD, KATRINA CURRIE

Green Jobs and the Broken Window Fallacy

Testimony to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee

This concept applies to the "green jobs" craze gripping lawmakers.  Green jobs, i.e., jobs in wind, solar, and other alternative energies, are in and of themselves a good thing.  But when government attempts to pick winners and losers-by identifying which industries are "green" or "good" and subsidizing them at taxpayers' expense, mand

MAY 12, 2010 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE

Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

With Pennsylvania's unemployment rate at a 25-year high, Gov. Rendell is pushing "green jobs" at every turn. He has doled out nearly $1 billion to renewable energy projects and wants additional alternative energy mandates. In reality, these mandates and subsidies will result in a net loss of jobs and necessarily escalate electricity prices.

MAY 11, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Special Interests Denounce "Special Interests"

The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment today that special interest groups which demand taxpayer subsidies for certain energy companies are attacking Pennsylvania's natural gas companies for simply wanting to be treated like other energy producers.

JANUARY 12, 2010 | Policy Brief by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Climategate & Penn State

The Case for an Independent Investigation

Just days after news broke about what has been dubbed "Climategate," Penn State University (PSU) announced that it would investigate the conduct of Michael Mann, a professor in PSU's Department of Meteorology and a prominent figure in the Climategate emails.