Legislation offers tax credits, loans

Thursday, April 07, 2011
By Laura Olson, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- After more than two years of debate over how much gas drillers should pay in taxes, House Republicans want to shift the conversation to where that natural gas is going once it's out of the ground.

GOP lawmakers unveiled their revamped seven-bill package Wednesday, aimed at encouraging businesses, transit systems and other organizations to switch their dirtier diesel engines to natural gas.

The measures, dubbed collectively as "Marcellus Works," would offer $47.5 million in tax credits, grants and loans to subsidize the cost of new natural gas vehicles and fueling stations. The state's three largest transit systems, including the Port Authority of Allegheny County, would be required to start buying American-made natural gas buses as they replace older portions of their fleet.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11097/1137653-503.stm