Tell Us: Your Take On Corbett's $1.65B Shell Oil Tax Break?
Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to give Shell Oil a $1.65 billion tax break?
Gov. Tom Corbett wants to give Shell Oil tax credits worth $1.65 billion over 25 years so the company will build a refinery in western Pennsylvania to capitalize on the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom, according to Businessweek.
Corbett says the deal could help reinvigorate manufacturing in Pennsylvania and create jobs.
Critics say Shell would probably bring its business to the state without the tax incentives. Corbett has also been criticized for cutting social service and school funding.
Shell is the world's second largest company by revenue and made profits of $31 billion last year.
Matt Cooley
8:03 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Good job, Governor. Eliminate tax credits for renewable energy (WHICH ALSO ENCOURAGES PROMOTE MANUFACTURING IN PA!) and give it to a wealthy, dirty fossil fuel corporation. Worst governor ever!
A. Victor Meitner, Jr.
8:55 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Natural gas is clean burning fossil fuel. If it means good jobs for Pennsylvanian's and tax revenue for the state and local governments, I support the incentives. I would rather see the plant in PA than in some other state. We don't need another Solindra. Vic Meitner
Chris Butler
2:46 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Yes. A company that made $31 billion in profits certainly needs a tax break. WIth luck, Corbett will cut public education and social services more and use that money to help Shell build the plant.
Mary
9:13 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Seems to me that Corbett is trying to lure manufacturing into the state so that the unemployed can become employed. Shell could possibly provide a job for my college age children when they finish school. I'm definitely for getting them off my payroll and onto a wealthy, dirty fossil fuel corporations payroll.
Tom P
11:24 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Is this welfare for the rich? Are they needy? Maybe it is a legal bribe, payoff, tit for tat. Check reciprocal campaign donations. Business by oligarchs as normal.
Brian Pinsley
12:10 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Poor Shell. They definitely need a tax break. Maybe we should give them some financing at 0% while we are at it. Do we really need the Marcelus shale project? It will pollute the waterways of the state sooner or later. Are we all going to have to buy bottled water?
Curmudgeon
12:47 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The Obama administration has shut down three (3) coal fired plants in the Commonwealth, at least two (2) refineries are in trouble and may close. There is an attack on fossil fuels, not just promoting cleaner energy. This may not be the best way to go, but how do you promote jobs that mean something, not just $$ to companies that go bankrupt?? Corporate welfare is not a good idea whether it's for renewable energy or fossil fuels. But in reality, don't cities like Phila. bribe businesses with tax breaks and deals to attract business.
Mary
10:00 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
According to Business Week, Shell wants to open a facility near Pittsburgh that would convert ethane from natural gas produced from marcellus shale. Shell plans to spend billions of dollars on the project and would in turn, draw other businesses to the area. We need the shot in the arm that this could bring to the state economy. Is everybody who complains about big business self-employed or independently wealthy? These businesses are our employers. I wonder how the people in and around Pittsburgh feel about it. My guess would be that they are happy for the chance to revitalize their economy. Besides, if Shell doesn't come to PA they will go to Ohio or NY. Bring it to PA!!
Pinhead
12:20 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Shouldn't corporate welfare be illegal. Bribing companies is. What is the difference? My understanding is that Pittsburgh's economy is OK. Isn't that where the governor is from? I'll bet none of the school districts in that area took a hit. I'll also bet that the governor will get a real good job with Shell when he leaves office.