We, the undersigned legislators and organizations, oppose any legislation that creates new fossil fuel subsidies. Subsidizing these private companies is not an appropriate use of public dollars. Further, these fossil fuel subsidies entrench us in a destructive extraction and use pattern that is responsible for increased greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution and adverse impacts on public health, welfare, safety and the environment. We are committed to putting the needs of Pennsylvanians first by opposing the creation of all new fossil fuel subsidies.

This includes public money to facilitate the extraction, transportation, consumption and downstream manufacturing of natural gas, natural gas liquids, coal, and oil. Infrastructure such as fracking wells, pipelines, power plants, refineries and cracker plants should not be receiving Pennsylvania’s taxpayer dollars.

Our state is already massively subsidizing this industry. Each taxpayer in Pennsylvania pays $794 per year to subsidize the fossil fuel industry to the tune of $3.2 billion. These breaks and handouts come in various forms from direct subsidies to tax breaks, low interest government loans and the provision of government services.

There is an alternative. Instead of subsidizing the fossil fuel interests that threaten our health, welfare, safety, and our natural environment, we should invest in energy efficient buildings and vehicles, as well as jobs in clean renewable energy from the sun, wind and geothermal sources. This must be a just and equitable transition that values unions, the lives of workers and the people who live near energy extraction and processing sites.

We are committed to using public dollars to further the public good. To that end, we will not support legislation that creates new fossil fuel subsidies.