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.

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Energy

Energy Shows Why Regulatory Reform is Key

  • Tirzah Duren
  • December 21, 2020

Right now in Pennsylvania —the second-largest energy-producing state behind Texas— Governor Wolf is using executive action to attempt to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This interstate…

Commentary

Read More: Energy Shows Why Regulatory Reform is Key

Energy

Op-Ed: Pennsylvania should keep fracking and oil as pro-energy policies

  • Kevin Mooney
  • October 28, 2020

The Keystone State is also the nation’s second-largest producer of natural gas, third-largest producer of coal, 16th-largest producer of crude oil, and third-largest producer of electricity in general, according to…

Commentary

Read More: Op-Ed: Pennsylvania should keep fracking and oil as pro-energy policies

Energy

Lawmakers Fight Wolf on Cap and Trade Plan

  • Kevin Mooney
  • September 10, 2020

Governor Wolf is determined to pull Pennsylvania into a multi-state compact that restricts carbon dioxide emissions and raises the cost of power. But thanks to the natural gas revolution Pennsylvania…

Commentary

Read More: Lawmakers Fight Wolf on Cap and Trade Plan

Energy

5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PA

  • Tirzah Duren
  • February 13, 2020

When Governor Wolf announced his decision to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through executive order this past October, he also sent the message that PA is closed for business. For businesses operating…

Commentary

Read More: 5 Ways Carbon Taxes Harm PA

Energy

Climate Change

  • Gordon Tomb
  • May 30, 2019

For decades state government has imposed subsidies, increased regulation and raised energy costs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts have largely failed to make an impact. On the other…

Memo

Read More: Climate Change

Energy

The State of Natural Gas in Pa.

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 3, 2018

Pennsylvania’s regulatory and tax environment is stunting job growth and deterring investment. A decade after the Marcellus Shale boom, lawmakers are still debating how to tax the industry instead of…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The State of Natural Gas in Pa.

Energy

Lessons from Fracking’s Borderlines

  • Gordon Tomb
  • September 20, 2016

New Yorkers shouldn’t have to eye secession to tap the riches beneath their feet. Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to worry that taxes and regulations will drive away opportunity and raise energy…

Commentary

Read More: Lessons from Fracking’s Borderlines

Energy

Philly Should Reject Mayor’s Tax-a-Cola Plan

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 10, 2016

Mayor Kenney’s soda tax would nearly double the average cost of a 12-pack of soda – hitting hardest those who least can afford it, not to mention small retailers, bottlers,…

Commentary

Read More: Philly Should Reject Mayor’s Tax-a-Cola Plan

Energy

Governor Wolf’s Natural Gas Tax Proposal

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 2, 2016

Governor Wolf continues to press for a natural gas severance tax despite ongoing layoffs and potential bankruptcies in the natural gas industry.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Governor Wolf’s Natural Gas Tax Proposal

Energy

Governor Wolf’s Proposed Natural Gas Extraction Tax

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 24, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a new severance tax on natural gas extraction, which he claims will generate more than $1 billion annually for public schools. The proposal fails to consider…

Memo

Read More: Governor Wolf’s Proposed Natural Gas Extraction Tax

Energy

Gas Tax Critics Champion, not Oppose, Progress

  • Gordon Tomb
  • June 9, 2015

Recently, Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter to 17 business advocacy groups opposing his proposed severance tax on natural gas, accusing them of siding “with corporate special interests who simply…

Commentary

Read More: Gas Tax Critics Champion, not Oppose, Progress

Energy

Natural Gas Severance Tax

  • March 20, 2015

A severance tax must be considered in light of the state’s total tax structure. Pennsylvania taxes the natural gas industry in many ways that don’t exist in other drilling states.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax

Energy

Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2015

It’s indisputable that where there is Marcellus shale drilling there has been robust economic growth. Over the past six years, Pennsylvania counties with Marcellus shale drilling led the state in…

Commentary

Read More: Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job Growth

Energy

Green Jobs Threatened by EPA Regs

  • Gordon Tomb
  • November 17, 2014

John Oelbracht has managed the Westwood Generation power plant in Schuylkill County for 10 years. It’s more than a job to him—it’s an undertaking to clean up the environment while…

Commentary

Read More: Green Jobs Threatened by EPA Regs

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

Read More: Bleeding Green