Mission Statement

The Commonwealth Foundation promotes market-driven solutions for energy policy that will benefit all Pennsylvanians. These policies must prioritize reliability, affordability, fairness, competition, and innovation, paving the way for Pennsylvania to embrace all its energy resources and unlock its full economic potential.

Check out our full energy platform

Energy

Bleeding Green

  • February 20, 2013

A new study from the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University finds that Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards will costs Pennsylvanians millions in higher energy costs.

Poll

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Energy

Marcellus Shale Impact Fee

  • October 28, 2011

Companies should pay for the cost of government they use.  Many advocates of a new tax simply want more money for Harrisburg politicians to dole out.

Fact Sheet

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Energy

Taxing Gas will Burden Pennsylvanians

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • August 1, 2011

Despite the manufactured fears of disaster and cheers for a unique tax on drilling, Pennsylvania can balance economic growth with environmental protection without imposing a new tax. The true impacts…

Commentary

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Energy

Economic Pitfalls of Taxing Marcellus Shale

  • May 9, 2011

The facts are that in Pennsylvania, Marcellus drillers contributed more than $15 billion in capital investment and have paid in excess of $5 billion in royalties to landowners not including…

Commentary

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Energy

Natural Gas Taxes and Fees

  • May 5, 2011

The Marcellus Shale is a large and difficult-to-drill geological formation roughly a mile or more underground throughout more than two-thirds of Pennsylvania that contains natural gas.

Fact Sheet

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Energy

Citizen’s Guide to Electric Choice & Competition 2011

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 24, 2011

In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by…

Fact Sheet

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Education

80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

  • January 17, 2011

Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition.  To provide a roadmap for…

Report

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Energy

Gov., Legislature Should Repeal Costly Renewables Mandates

  • December 30, 2010

A lot can be spun from the results of the Nov. 2 elections, but one fact is uncontrovertible: Pennsylvanians are sick of centrally planned, highly regulated, gimmick-driven economic policy. It…

Commentary

Read More: Gov., Legislature Should Repeal Costly Renewables Mandates

Energy

Never Enough Green for Renewable Energy

  • October 27, 2010

According to Pennsylvania's Public Utilities Commission, the annual cost of ownership for solar energy per kilowatt-hour is over 700% more than the cost of coal, and wind energy is almost…

Commentary

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Energy

Energy 101

  • September 5, 2010

Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…

Commentary

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Energy

Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 31, 2010

Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…

Commentary

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Energy

Gas Fuels Growth

  • August 3, 2010

The national economy is in a slump, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and economic growth is being hampered by misguided policies. Meanwhile, Bradford County, Pennsylvania led the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in…

Commentary

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Energy

The Marcellus Shale: A Real Stimulus

  • June 22, 2010

The Marcellus Shale formation is believed to be the largest unconventional natural gas reservoir in America, and its exploration has been coined a modern-day gold rush. A Penn State study…

Commentary

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Energy

Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

  • May 12, 2010

With Pennsylvania's unemployment rate at a 25-year high, Gov. Rendell is pushing "green jobs" at every turn. He has doled out nearly $1 billion to renewable energy projects and wants…

Commentary

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Energy

Budget Facts 2010: Natural Gas Severance Tax

  • April 7, 2010

Gov. Rendell has proposed a tax of 5% on the value of extracted natural gas, plus $.047 per thousand cubic feet of extracted gas. There is an exemption for marginal…

Fact Sheet

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Energy

Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2010

In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…

Commentary

Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

Energy

Business Guide to Electric Choice & Competition

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 16, 2010

In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Business Guide to Electric Choice & Competition

Energy

Citizen’s Guide to Electric Choice & Competition

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 5, 2010

In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Citizen’s Guide to Electric Choice & Competition

Energy

Five Threats to Pennsylvania’s Prosperity

  • December 16, 2009

Pennsylvania has long been one of the most economically stagnant states in the nation. For the period 1991-2008, the Commonwealth ranked 45th in job growth, 46th in personal income growth,…

Commentary

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Energy

Alternative Energy Mandates

  • November 18, 2009

Pennsylvania law requires utility companies to produce a certain percentage of their electricity from alternative sources in future years. Proposed legislation would increase this percentage and require new carbon sequestration…

Fact Sheet

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