Coal vs. gas a hot issue
WASHINGTON — For decades, the coal industry fueled not only America’s factories, but its politics. It filled campaign coffers with cash and congressional offices with persuasive lobbyists who helped keep regulation at bay.
But factors beyond industry control are converging to create a difficult climate for an industry whose future could depend on its allies in Congress — many of whom now are focused on helping the burgeoning natural gas industry.
As gas from the Marcellus Shale and other newly discovered reserves floods the market, gas lobbyists are flooding Washington to seek environmental regulations tailored to cleaner-burning gas — a standard that coal plants can’t easily meet. They have the ear of state and federal lawmakers who are working to encourage gas exploration as a way to promote American energy independence, protect the environment and bring jobs and revenue to their legislative districts.
Pennsylvania, which has an abundance of both resources, is ground zero for the coal-vs.-gas battle.
“Natural gas is bringing jobs, energy independence, economic growth, cleaner energy and a growing energy advantage. What natural gas gives us is an opportunity to get better control of our energy future,” said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
But expansion of natural gas production can’t be at the expense of jobs in coal regions, he said during a recent interview.
“Helping one isn’t necessarily at the detriment of the other,” he said. “This is about managing the energy portfolio.”