Oil, Gas, And Fracking News Read 16May 2021 econintersect.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from econintersect.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
JILL A. HUNKLER
It was an honor to testify before the House Subcommittee on the Environment on the role of federal fossil fuel subsidies in preventing action on the climate crisis. However, I was disappointed by the response from state and local government leaders who I believe misrepresented the issue, citing research published by the oil and gas industry to back up false claims of economic growth and “clean” emissions.
In a recent news article, state Sen.Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction, stated: “Far left attempts to vilify the significant economic opportunities brought by the oil and gas industry are patently false …” This argument is futile, as the statistics mentioned in my testimony came directly from the Bureau of Labor Statics and Bureau of Economics. It is the irrefutable truth, based on governmental data, that Appalachian fracking counties have lost 6,500 jobs and 13,000 residents since the fracking boom began.
For the Intelligencer
MARTINS FERRY Martins Ferry City Councilman Rick Rodgers will retain his Fourth Ward seat after defeating his challenger during Tuesday’s primary election.
According to unofficial totals, Rodgers received 41 votes and his challenger, Pamela Shrodes, received 20 votes. Both are Democrats.
“I am happy the voters in the Fourth Ward have confidence in me, in my integrity and my accountability,” Rodgers said. “I will continue to pursue their wants and their desires. I am always open and I listen with my ears and my heart.”
Rodgers said for his new term he would like to see Ninth Street repaved and he plans to work together with council and Mayor John Davies to find grant funding to do so. He also is looking forward to pursuing a possible project that would involve the installation of a new waterline that would reach Shadyside and Rayland. Such a line would be useful if the city needs backup on its water supply, he said.
Times Leader Staff Writer
Barb Ballint, director of the Belmont County Tourism Council, reports a decrease in lodging tax receipts but said the tourism council will continue its work.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE Belmont County has seen a steep decline in lodging tax receipts due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Tourism Council Director Barb Ballint said her department will keep aiding and promoting local events despite decreased funding.
The lodging tax receipts hit an “all-time low,” declining 53 percent from first quarter 2020 and 66 percent from first quarter 2019. Ballint told county commissioners last week that hotel occupancy was impacted by the pandemic, as well as by decreased work in the oil and gas industry. A tax on people using hotels provides the tourism council’s annual funding.
Staff Writer
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles that will examine how much money local governments will receive as a result of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, as well as how the funds may be distributed and invested.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE There is no shortage of uses for Belmont County’s share of the American Rescue Plan stimulus funding.
The $1.9 trillion aid package approved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic provides another round of Economic Impact Payments in the form of $1,400 to most individual Americans.
It also extends federal unemployment benefits, expands the Child Care Tax Credit and other credits. It includes funding for education and child care, health care, transportation and other programs. It also provides federal aid to states, counties and other government entities.