State Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) and House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) recently held a press event near the Shell manufacturing facility in Beaver County to highlight Energize PA, a legislative package that aims to encourage job growth and redevelop infrastructure without new fees or taxes.
“Energize PA builds on our history – one that is steeped in energy production, innovation, and manufacturing,” Turzai said. “We are a hard-working, resilient people here in Pennsylvania. This package will energize our economy so that folks have family-sustaining jobs.”
Kail, one of eight bill sponsors of the legislative package, discussed his legislation, the Keystone Energy Enhancement Act (KEEA).
KEEA, House Bill 1102, would create 20 Keystone Energy Enhancement Zones in which businesses would be eligible for state and local tax exemptions and credits for 10 years. The bill aims to encourage capital investment in Pennsylvania’s natural gas and manufacturing industries.
“We can’t let the Shell manufacturing facility be our only success story,” Kail said. “Pennsylvania faces a unique opportunity to unleash the full value of its natural resources and tap into sustainable economic and job growth for decades to come, but we need to be smart about what we’re doing in Harrisburg.”
Other Energize PA bill sponsors include Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne), Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland), Mike Puskaric (R-Washington/Allegheny), and Tim O’Neal (R-Washington).
“The right public policies combined with the right cooperation from the private sector can generate a $60 billion increase in Pennsylvania Gross Domestic Product, support the addition of 100,000 new jobs and potentially increase state revenues by $2 billion to $3 billion,” Turzai said.