Already being compared to “Mitt Romney’s energy platform,” Jeb Bush is rolling out his energy plan in Pittsburgh this afternoon.
In response to Jeb’s plan, American Bridge President Jessica Mackler released the following statement:
“Jeb Bush says his energy plan will help grow jobs, but it’s just another Republican giveaway to big oil. His plan completely ignores how clean energy, such as solar and wind, can benefit the economy while combating climate change. Instead, he has promised to reverse any progress the Obama administration makes by reducing carbon emissions. Jeb Bush is introducing his policy at Rice Energy, a company with a history of environmental infractions, making it clear he could care less about protecting the environment. Just like his big brother, Jeb Bush’s shortsighted plan shows he cares more about helping big oil than the welfare of the American people.”
Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush plans to release his energy policy at an event near Pittsburgh on Tuesday, and the site of his announcement has a history of environmental violations in the state.
Bush is slated to announce his energy plan at Rice Energy, an oil and gas company based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The company has three subsidiaries operating in the state: Rice Drilling, Rice Midstream Holdings and Rice Poseidon Holdings. The subsidiaries have amassed a total 121 violations with the state Department of Environmental Protection since 2010, and $523,550 in fines, according to the DEP’s Office of Oil and Gas Management database.
Rice’s violations included failure to submit reports or post appropriate signage, as well as “failure to report defective, insufficient, or improperly cemented casing” and “failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution of the waters of the Commonwealth.”
The Wall Street Journal reported on violations at Rice-owned wells in 2012, and the numbers have climbed since then.
Published: Sep 29, 2015