Dr. Scott Tinker, geologist and energy sector expert, spoke Tuesday to members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly about mitigating environmental impacts and how affordable and reliable energy could lift millions out of poverty.
Education, health care, women’s rights, clean water, and many other issues are closely tied to and can be addressed with access to energy, Tinker said. This is what is known as equitable energy. Equal access to affordable and reliable energy is everywhere, and this supports a clean environment and healthy economy.
Tinker is director of The University of Texas’ 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology which studies the interrelationship between energy, the economy, and the environment.
Gov. Tom Wolf launched an initiative last week that would power half of the state government’s buildings and vehicles with solar energy by 2023.
“The governor’s announcement brings about the importance of having a domestic supply of natural gas, the needed backup to renewable, intermittent resources to ensure the electric grid remains reliable during times of peak demand,” a Marcellus Shale Coalition blog post said. “We know the increasing use of natural gas in power generation is what’s driving America’s environmental progress and, as wind and solar gain market share, these sources will work together for continued growth.”