PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania legislators have echoed the governor’s call for divestment and state-level sanctions against Russia.
But Republicans are also seizing the opportunity to promote two favorite causes: Expanding fracking, and pulling Pennsylvania out of the regional greenhouse gas reduction Initiative.
At a news conference in Harrisburg on Tuesday, Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Bradford, Potter, Tioga counties) called for granting fracking leases on state land to replace Russian oil imports.
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“Let’s stop importing energy and let’s use our own, and let’s start exporting it as well," said Owlett.
"Capitalizing on our own resources to end dependence on foreign oil and gas is common sense.”
Related podcast: Gov. Tom Wolf's goals to expand the state's efforts to hurt Russia for invading Ukraine, and to help Ukrainians.
House Majority Leader Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre, Mifflin counties) said that, as the second-largest producer of natural gas in the country, Pennsylvania can help meet the demand for other energy sources.
“We may not be able to change energy markets overnight, but we must start this process today by increasing production, increasing capacity and developing transmission here," Benninghoff said.
He added that solar farms could also play a role.
Related podcast: More of the economic effects on American consumers due to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
