Pro-Drilling PA Senator Joe Scarnati Accepts Free Super Bowl Trip from CONSOL Energy

| | |

Joe ScarnatiA bone-headed move by Pennsylvania’s top Senate Republican:

The state Senate president, a key player in the debate over natural-gas drilling in Pennsylvania, accepted a free trip from one of the state’s largest energy companies to see the Pittsburgh Steelers play in the Super Bowl.

Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, had his ticket, plane ride, and hotel bill paid for by Consol Energy Inc., a major coal producer and one of the companies drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, according to Mr. Scarnati’s top aide.*

Was it legal? According to the rules and laws in PA, it was perfectly legal. But it was also stupid. Drilling in PA is hot and will remain so, and an extraction tax will come around again eventually. It’s important for those who support drilling to be open and transparent, without even a hint of undue influence. Things like this give the opposition ammunition.

Mr. Scarnati, time to suck it up and reimburse CONSOL for the entire trip if you want to keep your reputation intact.

*Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Feb 14) – Pa. senator’s Super Bowl trip courtesy of Consol

3 Comments

  1. Oh to bad that Joe forgot who voted him in office, too bad we will have another election and the people will not forget the public servant that really served himself! Way to go Joe! It is hard to believe that this is legal but then this is Pennsylvania, the land of milk and honey, if your a politician. Harrisburg is never going to change these laws and cut off their noses.