Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
24/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 24/07/2024 17:19
Cook, Policy Committee Host Hearing Hundreds of Feet Underground on Positive Impacts of Coal
Jul. 24, 2024
SYCAMORE-Today, Rep. Bud Cook (R-Greene/Washington) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), convened a hearing to discuss the economic benefits of coal, the most abundant fossil fuel on the planet. Unlike any other, this hearing took place hundreds of feet underground in the Harvey mine, where bituminous coal mining has taken place for over 150 years.
The hearing, "Positive Impacts of Coal," featured the following testifiers: Rachel Gleason, executive director, Pennsylvania Coal Alliance; Matt Mackowiak, manager of government affairs, CONSOL Energy; Jim Barker, president, Rosebud Mining Company; and Tom Crooks, vice president, R.G. Johnson Inc.
The coal mining industry is critical to Pennsylvania's economy, sustaining over 11,000 full-time jobs and producing nearly $4 billion in economic output, according to a report by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. More specifically, the report revealed the economic impact of the coal mining industry in Greene and Washington counties:
• Approximately 4,050 full- and part-time jobs (2,300 direct).
• More than $1.7 billion in economic output ($1.3 billion direct).
• More than $1 billion added to the regional economy ($856 million direct).
The global demand for coal reached record highs last year, and the demand is anticipated to rise, as indicated by Mackowiak. At the same time, the increasing global demand for renewable energy sources unjustly sidelines coal as a critical energy source. Many do not realize that coal and other fossil fuels are needed to manufacture renewables or require less land use than renewable energy sources, like solar farms or wind turbines.
"Pennsylvania coal is abundant and affordable, and the industry continuously goes to great lengths to minimize its impact on the environment," said Cook. "If we want reliable electricity, national security, family-sustaining jobs and vibrant communities, we must support-and protect- Pennsylvania's coal mining industry."
"The Pennsylvania coal industry's commitment to producing clean energy and protecting natural resources is commendable. Meanwhile, Democrats' commitment to transition away from fossil fuels, such as coal, is more detrimental to the environment than people realize, not to mention dismissive of Pennsylvania's impressive industrial heritage and all the hard-working men and women in those industries," said Kail. "The world is a better place with Pennsylvania energy, which is why we need a legislative and regulatory environment that advances the use of the Commonwealth's natural resources."
To watch the complete hearing, visit pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.
Representative Bud Cook
50th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patti Hippler
717-772-9846
[email protected]
repbudcook.com
The hearing, "Positive Impacts of Coal," featured the following testifiers: Rachel Gleason, executive director, Pennsylvania Coal Alliance; Matt Mackowiak, manager of government affairs, CONSOL Energy; Jim Barker, president, Rosebud Mining Company; and Tom Crooks, vice president, R.G. Johnson Inc.
The coal mining industry is critical to Pennsylvania's economy, sustaining over 11,000 full-time jobs and producing nearly $4 billion in economic output, according to a report by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. More specifically, the report revealed the economic impact of the coal mining industry in Greene and Washington counties:
• Approximately 4,050 full- and part-time jobs (2,300 direct).
• More than $1.7 billion in economic output ($1.3 billion direct).
• More than $1 billion added to the regional economy ($856 million direct).
The global demand for coal reached record highs last year, and the demand is anticipated to rise, as indicated by Mackowiak. At the same time, the increasing global demand for renewable energy sources unjustly sidelines coal as a critical energy source. Many do not realize that coal and other fossil fuels are needed to manufacture renewables or require less land use than renewable energy sources, like solar farms or wind turbines.
"Pennsylvania coal is abundant and affordable, and the industry continuously goes to great lengths to minimize its impact on the environment," said Cook. "If we want reliable electricity, national security, family-sustaining jobs and vibrant communities, we must support-and protect- Pennsylvania's coal mining industry."
"The Pennsylvania coal industry's commitment to producing clean energy and protecting natural resources is commendable. Meanwhile, Democrats' commitment to transition away from fossil fuels, such as coal, is more detrimental to the environment than people realize, not to mention dismissive of Pennsylvania's impressive industrial heritage and all the hard-working men and women in those industries," said Kail. "The world is a better place with Pennsylvania energy, which is why we need a legislative and regulatory environment that advances the use of the Commonwealth's natural resources."
To watch the complete hearing, visit pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.
Representative Bud Cook
50th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patti Hippler
717-772-9846
[email protected]
repbudcook.com
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