I am writing to comment on Representative Fred Keller’s article “Our Energy Economy Powering All Communities.” It is an article which demonstrates he is a true believer in free market capitalism (trickle-down economics), a faith that blinds believers to many truths.
While Mr. Keller talks about the future, he appears to be blind to the past history of the extractive industries. The legacy of coal is easily seen in many areas around us with abandoned strip mines, mine subsidence, and streams that run orange. The boom and bust nature of extractive industries can be seen in the economic decline of many local communities. A recent study has pointed out that there are hundreds of thousands of poorly capped and uncapped gas wells throughout our state.
There is not one mention of the social costs that have been created by the impact of fracking coming to our state. Skyrocketing housing costs caused by the influx of “gypsy” drill pad workers. Increased stress on local services of all types including police and social services. Mr. Keller hasn’t considered the health costs involved with those who live near drilling sites and compressor stations. How do impact fees solve health problems?
There is no consideration by Mr. Keller of quality of life issues. What about the people who retired to the area for its natural beauty only to see Penn’s Woods being turned into an industrial zone. What of the hunters and fisherman who look forward to their trips to their favorite places only to find they have become off limits even in the State Forests which belong to all of us. What of the local people who are endangered and frightened as big rigs come barreling down mountain roads? What about the third generation family farmer who finds his farm being destroyed by the drillers because three generations ago the farm was bought without the subsurface rights? I guess grandpa should have known about fracking. Why should some profit at the expense of others? This is one of great flaws of capitalism as it practiced in our country. How would Mr. Keller feel if an active drilling pad and compressor station were close to his home? What if his grandchildren where sickened by fracking’s pollution?
Mr. Keller stated that “with the right state and federal policies in place” the benefits of shale gas development will continue for many years. This is a rather large assumption. Considering all the environmental problems being created now by the industry, we simply don’t have the right policies in place. It even begs the question of whether fracking can ever be done safely. How do you calculate the value of clean air and water? Rep. Keller doesn’t even consider the question.
If Representative Keller was really concerned with good paying jobs and our families’ health, he would be doing all that he could to promote clean energy. Clean energy development provides three times more jobs per unit of energy than dirty carbon jobs provide. Natural gas is a dirty fuel. It is not as dirty as coal, but is still dirty. It is not even better from a global climate change standpoint because of all the fugitive leaks of methane gas, a very powerful greenhouse gas. We could have, with proper leadership, a transition to energy produced without all the pollution, forest fragmentation, and social disruption caused by shale gas development.
Finally, Representative Keller clearly demonstrates his true colors when he writes about corporate taxes. While Pennsylvania has a high corporate tax rate, most of the multinational gas corporations involved in gas development in this state pay at the much lower personal income tax rate. The impact fees imposed on the industry will not begin to pay for all the costs created by the industry. Will the industry compensate homeowners who see the value of their homes plummet? Act 13 was a bill written by an industry for a governor and legislature who are in the hands of the industry. Will it cover the cost for all of the damage to our highways, forests, and streams? Will it fully compensate the communities whose cost of social services skyrocket?
The corporations, with the support of politicians like Representative Keller, will always fight to not pay for their fair share for the services provided by government. If they don’t pay, that means we will have to pay more. Corporations are always attempting to externalize their costs. Those who receive services or products should expect to pay the real cost of the service or product. If the full costs for carbon based fuels were included in their price, clean energy would become a real bargain.
I would hope that Mr. Keller would look at the total and actual picture involved with shale gas fracking and development. I would hope that his view was not limited by an economic philosophy that constrains his vision. Isn’t there something wrong with an economic system which must make so many live in a sacrifice zone?