Ad mischaracterizes energy vote

I write in response to the paid advertisement authored by Tom Hylton that was published on page 3 of the Feb. 14 issue of The Mercury captioned “Mountaintop Remover.” As a longtime reader of The Mercury, I’ve always appreciated Mr. Hylton’s perspective and efforts as a public advocate, and was surprised by the content of his advertisement.

The advertisement masquerades as editorial commentary, and disappointingly mischaracterizes my recent votes and policy record on clean energy and watershed protection.

At issue: I supported a resolution disapproving of a lastminute regulation issued by the Obama Administration, which the administration selftitled the “Stream Protection Rule.” The administration had over 7.5 years to issue this rule, but waited until December 19, 2016, to finally do so.

In response to a proposed earlier draft of this rule, I voted to support legislation that would require a comprehensive study on the effectiveness of the proposed rule. It was my position then, as it is today, that greater analysis and input from affected states was necessary to determine if the proposed rule could actually achieve the predicted benefit of additional protection of water supplies around coal mining operations. Other opponents of the rule voiced other objections, too; but mine focused on the environmental considerations.

My findings concluded that this effort was duplicative of, and interfered with, existing state and local efforts to monitor and enforce water quality measures around coal-mining operations. It would also have effectively shut down existing coal-mining operations in states, like Pennsylvania, which rely on coal for electricity and jobs. Here’s a fact Mr. Hylton failed to share: nearly one-quarter of Pennsylvanians still rely on coal-fired power plants for their electricity. This obviously necessitates an inquiry into the cost of electricity if coal was removed as onequarter of the electricity portfolio consumer mix.

The paid advertisement then quickly attacks coal, describes the exciting and proven future of clean energy, but never offers any evaluation as to whether the regulation I voted to rescind was a worthwhile regulation or even what the regulation purported to do. Replacing nearly a quarter of Pennsylvania’s electricity supply without an immediately available, commensurate supply risks job loss, market disruption and volatility, and consequently, higher energy costs for Pennsylvania families and businesses.

Regarding clean energy jobs, I have supported, and will continue to support, STEM education, workforce development and job retraining programs, grant funding research for innovative solutions like carbon capture technology, which, as one example, can redirect and capture carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion and convert those elements into useful by-products. I would encourage Mr. Hylton and all readers to research my voting record and efforts on clean energy issues, as I will continue to work to be a thoughtful leader here as a member of the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.

In addition, I have championed legislative efforts to strengthen and improve our waterways and water infrastructure – notably helping to pass the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act last December — and supporting legislation to reauthorize and reinforce our commitment to vital programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the National Estuary Program, and the Highlands Conservation Act.

We all appreciate the value of, and need to protect our environment and natural resources, and the integral role it has on our community health. To Mr. Hylton, instead of producing a misleading advertisement that is devoid of relevant facts as to why I voted as I did on a Resolution that you fail to even remotely explain, let alone evaluate, feel free to contact my office in the future if you have questions as to why I voted the way I did. I am proud of my record supporting and promoting clean energy solutions and environmental stewardship and I anticipate future examples of my leadership on these issues.