Amendments to Pennsylvania budget bill threaten state’s air, water

Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced a set of amendments to the state budget that, if passed, would pose a direct threat to Pennsylvania’s health and environment by limiting oversight of the state’s natural gas industry.

“Pennsylvania’s elected representatives are working to trade away clean air and clean water in exchange for a deal on a natural gas severance tax. This is bad politics any way you slice it. Access to clean air and clean water are fundamental human rights, not political bargaining chips. Pennsylvania’s elected officials are supposed to represent the interests of Pennsylvania voters, yet these last-minute amendments to the severance tax bill — part of the state budget — do just the opposite by taking power away from the state and handing it over to oil and gas companies.”

• Andrew Williams, Director, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Climate and Energy