Beaver County News

Rep. Eric Nelson and the House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Josh Kail, held a hearing in Greensburg to discuss the impact of energy policies on jobs and energy independence in Pennsylvania. The session, titled "Opportunity Lost: Bureaucracy’s Battle Against Fracking," took place at the Hempfield Township Municipal Building.

The hearing featured testimonies from Michael Hillenbrand of Huntley and Huntley, Amy McChesney of McChesney Farms, Randy M. Roadman from General Carbide Corporation, and Jeff Nobers of Pittsburgh Works Together. Nobers highlighted the importance of reliable energy policy, referencing a report titled “The PJM Grid in Peril: What Will Keep the Lights On?” He stated that moving hastily from fossil fuels to renewables is not a sustainable strategy for maintaining grid reliability.

Nelson expressed concerns about bureaucracy causing delays and higher costs, which he said hinder job opportunities in Pennsylvania. He noted that while Ohio benefits from investments and projects, Pennsylvania faces challenges due to bureaucratic hurdles. "We can do better; we must do better to maintain high environmental standards and business reliability for our citizens moving forward," Nelson stated.

Kail emphasized the potential for Pennsylvania's natural resources to strengthen its industrial position but criticized state-level obstacles as detrimental to both economic growth and environmental protection.

For those interested in viewing the full hearing, it is available online at pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.