HARRISBURG – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) today joined Senators from across the Commonwealth in the formation of a Senate ‘Coal Caucus’, a bipartisan committee emphasizing the continued importance of coal and coal-driven technologies in the Commonwealth.
“In recent years, Pennsylvania has been fortunate to have an abundance of natural gas located in the Marcellus Shale formation contributing significantly to our local and state economies,” Yaw said. “Since the industrial revolution, coal has also fueled our economy having created hundreds of thousands of jobs. Collaboratively, we can change the dynamic of coal as an energy resource.”
The newly formed Coal Caucus will serve as a forum through which legislators and industry representatives can collaborate on the needs of the coal industry, focus on the utilization and consumption of coal to significantly reduce consumer demands on foreign fuels and highlight new coal technologies within the industry.
“While we have focused our attention on other sources of energy such as gas, wind and solar, we can’t forget that we are sitting on approximately seventy billion tons of coal here in Pennsylvania,” Yaw added. This Coal Caucus will serve as a champion for increased investment in coal and coal-driven technology.”
In addition to Yaw, Senator Tim Solobay (D-46) will also serve as a Co-Chair of the Caucus. Other members include: Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-25), Senators Jake Corman (R-34), John Gordner (R-27), Richard Kasunic (D-32), Scott Hutchinson (R-21), Bob Robbins (R-50), Elder Vogel (R-47), Kim Ward (R-39), Don White (R-41), John Wozniak (D-35) and John Yudichak (D-14).
Senator Yaw currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, as well as Chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors.
Contact:
Adam Pankake
717-787-3280