HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) issued the following statement today in reaction to new power plant emission rules imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency that will harm energy consumers and reduce grid reliability:

“It is deeply short-sighted that the Biden Administration is pushing yet another disastrous policy that will hurt electricity consumers and make our grid less reliable. We have already received dire warnings from PJM that we could face rolling blackouts just a few years down the road because energy production cannot keep up with future demand. Taking more power plants offline will only accelerate these problems and hurt our energy independence and national security.

“The new emissions rules will cost Pennsylvania thousands of family-sustaining jobs in the energy industry at a time when we are working as hard as we can to fight back against the state’s economic and demographic decline. We join many of our colleagues in encouraging Pennsylvania’s federal lawmakers and Governor Shapiro to do everything in their power to reverse this decision and prevent our grid from being crippled by the Biden Administration’s poor decision-making.”

CONTACT:          
Erica Clayton Wright (Sen. Ward) 
Kate Flessner (Sen. Pittman) 
Jason Thompson (Sen. Martin) 

HARRISBURG – In the wake of the recent $600 million settlement reached by Norfolk Southern in its class-action lawsuit related to its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year, state Sens. Doug Mastriano (R-33), Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47), and Michele Brooks (R-50) today introduced legislation to provide a state tax deduction for Pennsylvanians who receive payments.

“Ohio has already established a deduction for their residents who received payments and I believe it’s fair to do the same for Pennsylvanians.,” said Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, hosted a hearing immediately following the train wreck, and subpoenaed Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw to appear before the committee. “Businesses have been shuttered, property values have plummeted, and personal medical expenses continue to accrue. This tax deduction will help put more money back into the pockets of the victims.”

Mastriano, Vogel and Brooks today introduced Senate Bill 1149 to provide a state income tax deduction for disaster relief payments provided to Pennsylvania residents by a government agency, Norfolk Southern or an insurer as the result of the Feb. 3, 2023, train wreck. The deduction would also be retroactive to any payments received by victims in 2023.

“I am pleased to be partnering with Sen. Mastriano and Sen. Brooks on this legislation,” Vogel said. “There are many residents still having to deal with negative, residual effects from the derailment, which have caused increased financial burdens on these hurting families. Through our proposal of establishing a state tax deduction for Pennsylvania residents who have or will receive future disaster relief payments, we aim to help alleviate some of the financial stress they are experiencing and continue to help these families as we navigate further through the aftermath of this tragic accident.”

The train wreck took place just across the western border of Pennsylvania and was followed two days later on Feb. 5, 2023, by the planned ignition and burning of five railroad cars carrying dangerous chemicals. The toxic plume resulted in residents reporting various medical problems including rashes, burning lips, sore throats, itchy eyes and other skin irritations. Residents reported additional medical concerns at a follow-up hearing held last month by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

“I’m committed to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to provide meaningful help to the hurting residents affected by this train wreck,” Brooks said. “This bill would enable these families to keep more of the money that is intended to help them begin to try to move on from this incident. I believe this tax deduction is the responsible thing to do for these residents.”

Senate Bill 1149 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.

Mastriano contact: Josh Herman
717-787-9603

Vogel contact: Abby Chiumento
717-787-3076

Brooks contact: Adam Gingrich
717-787-1322