Posted: | April 5, 2021 05:37 PM |
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From: | Senator Joe Pittman |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Economic Impact Inventory of Carbon Emitting Electric Generating Units |
With the debate over the Commonwealth’s carbon dioxide emissions has come a realization that the abrupt closure of carbon emitting electric generating units could have a devastating economic effect on their host counties, municipalities, and school districts as well as taxpayers and workers. I am introducing legislation that will give us an accurate picture of the economic importance of these plants. This legislation will direct the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), in conjunction with the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), to take an inventory of electric generating units within the Commonwealth that emit carbon dioxide. The Department shall then use the information contained in the inventory, using economic impact assessment software, to prepare a detailed analysis that includes the following information: - the property tax revenue paid by each electric generating unit, by taxing district (i.e., county, school, municipality), in relation to total property taxes received by each taxing districts; - the total amount of wages paid to employees of the electric generating unit, the wage taxes paid by said employees, and the municipalities that receive said wage tax revenues; - the water, sewer and trash bills paid by the plant, and the municipalities that receive payment by the plant’s owners for providing those services; - the value of any additional taxes or fees paid by the plant and received by taxing district and the Commonwealth; - the value of contracted services provided to electric generating unit, including but not limited to, the fuel used by the plant to produce electricity, materials purchased to meet environmental compliance requirements, railroad services, trucking services, maintenance, cleaning services, office supplies, any employees provided via an employment agency. The report shall be submitted to the chairs of the House Commerce Committee and Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committees. The report shall also be sent to the power plant’s home county, municipality, and school district. The report shall be submitted to the committee chairs within 90 days of the effective date of this act. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Stauffer, of my staff, at sstauffer@pasen.gov or 717-783-5193. |
Introduced as SB680