August 2011, Vol. 238 No. 8
In The News
Natural Gas Industry Spent $3.5 Million Lobbying In PA
A report by the Scranton Times Tribune found that the natural gas industry spent more than $3.5 million last year to lobby lawmakers and state officials on issues concerning Marcellus Shale gas extraction.
The activity came during a period when both the House and Senate declared their intent to pass a state severance tax on natural gas production with former Gov. Ed Rendell’s backing, but nothing happened.
The Marcellus Shale Coalition founded in 2008 led the pack in 2010 spending at $1.1 million. The other top five spenders are Range Resources-Appalachia, $392,000; Chesapeake Energy, $382,000; PIOGA, $247,000; East Resources Management, $225,000; and Chief Oil and Gas, $186,000. The newspaper reported the natural gas industry contributed more than $7 million to the statewide and legislative candidates from 2000 through 2010, according to an analysis by Common Cause PA and the Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania.
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