Energy Issues Vital to Pennsylvania Voters

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is ground zero for selecting the next president of the United States. We know that energy affordability is a key issue to voters in making this decision.

We define those voters as people who prioritize energy affordability in their voting decisions. They will support candidates who champion cost-effective energy policies.

Statistics also reveal that the Biden-Harris administration has a negative 31.8% approval rating among this voting bloc.

The state’s importance

TEA has reviewed both Kamala Harris’s and Donald Trump’s energy policies and records that Keystone State voters should consider before voting.

Specifics lacking

Harris has adopted a plan that aides describe as “strategic ambiguity” on energy policy to avoid alienating environmental activists and moderate voters. In fact, it took until early September for her campaign to list any key issues on its official website.

The state’s natural gas producers have pressed Harris on her specific policies, which have been inconsistent or—in some cases—nonexistent.

“We need more details,” said Dave Callahan, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, whose members gathered in northeast Pennsylvania last week for an annual conference.

Various policy changes

Since ascending to the top of the Democratic ticket, Harris has backed away from banning fracking, saying she now believes the clean energy economy can grow without having to ban the practice.

But as a 2024 presidential candidate, she now says that she no longer backs the Green New Deal.

The campaign said recently that she no longer supports that measure.

By contrast, voters have a much clearer picture of where Trump stands on energy issues.

Natural gas matters here

Pennsylvania is second only to Texas in estimated total proved natural gas reserves.

Summary

Pennsylvania has a robust and diverse economy. It must protect the jobs and livelihoods of its residents by electing leaders at the local, state, and federal level who will fight for domestic energy with an eye toward consumer well-being.

The economy boasts strong sectors in agriculture, food processing, industrial machinery, and health care, among others. That vibrant economy is fueled by reliable, locally produced energy.

The development of the Marcellus Shale is an American success story, beginning around 2005. It has enabled the extraction of clean, job-creating, American natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales.

That success needs to continue so that Pennsylvania families, farms, businesses, and industries can continue to flourish.

A Harris presidency will weaken domestic energy producers and make America even more reliant on foreign oil. If the record of her home state of California is any guide, we can expect that as president she will advocate for more green-at-any-cost schemes, such as expensive and inefficient electric vehicle charging stations.

That is something that Pennsylvania’s energy sector, the state’s entrepreneurs, and families can ill afford.

The Empowerment Alliance was formed in 2019 to offer common-sense energy solutions that promote production and consumption of Affordable, Clean, Reliable natural gas. We believe that our nation’s energy independence is essential for America’s independence.