SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 | CF In The News 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 unpopular. Instead of entrepreneurship and the responsible development of natural resources, today's energy companies are rewarded on the basis of their lobbying.

JULY 16, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

CF Responds to PennFuture Demands

A July 14, 2010 letter from PennFuture's attorney claimed the Commonwealth Foundation's Policy Brief, "PennFuture's Lobbying: Hypocritical, unethical, and possibly illegal," contained three inaccuracies and demanded retraction. The Commonwealth Foundation responded on July 16, 2010.

JULY 9, 2010 | Commentary by PAUL CHESSER

PennFuture: Harrisburg's Lobbying Launderers

According to its website, PennFuture claims to have secured stronger pollution rules in state agencies; convinced legislators to pass several laws; won $80 million in utility rate cases; and convinced Gov. Ed Rendell and the general public to support a bond issue for environmental funding. Yet for all these accomplishments - most of which it attributes to the help of its faithful supporters - PennFuture reported spending zero dollars on grassroots lobbying between 2004 through 2007.

JULY 8, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

PennFuture’s Hypocritcal, Unethical, and Possibly Illegal Lobbying

Report identifies activities of nonprofit eco-activist group

Chesser's report, PennFuture's Lobbying: Hypocritical, Unethical, and Possibly Illegal, describes how the eco-activist organization received nearly $1 million during the last five years from alternative energy companies. 

"These alternative energy companies benefited from PennFuture's lobbying for corporate tax breaks and taxpayer-funded ‘economic development' funds," writes Chesser.  "Yet the group reported to the Internal Revenue Service that it spent no money on grassroots lobbying on four of its past five tax returns."

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 unethical or illegal, advocacy practices.

JUNE 22, 2010 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE

The Marcellus Shale: A Real Stimulus

The Marcellus Shale formation is believed to be the largest unconventional natural gas reservoir in America, and its exploration has been coined a modern-day gold rush. A Penn State study found Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale activity in 2009 created 44,000 direct and indirect jobs and generated almost $400 million in state and local tax revenue. The study predicts the industry will generate over 111,000 jobs and $987 million in state and local tax revenue by 2011. Unfortunately, these positive developments could be eroded if additional taxes and regulations are imposed.

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, mandating their use, and even punishing their competitors with costly regulations-it hinders our overall economy.  Jobs created in industries that depend on government assistance are not sustainable, will not stimulate the economy, and will not result in net job growth.

JUNE 8, 2010 | Policy Brief by KATRINA CURRIE, ELIZABETH STELLE

Pennsylvania's Natural Gas Boom

Economic & Environmental Impacts

The Marcellus Shale formation is believed to be the largest unconventional natural gas reservoir in America, and its exploration has been coined a modern-day gold rush. More than a mile underground, this once unreachable gas is now recoverable thanks to advancements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technology.

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.