Rendell cabinet member leaves to join natural gas firm
Share with others:
HARRISBURG -- A top member of Gov. Ed Rendell's staff has resigned to go to work for a Texas gas firm that's active in drilling for natural gas in Marcellus shale areas of Pennsylvania.
Scott Roy has left his position as deputy chief of staff and been replaced by Naomi Wyatt, secretary of the Office of Administration, the governor's office announced today.
Mr. Roy will work for Range Resources Inc., Rendell spokesman Gary Tuma said. The company is a Texas firm that is among the leading drilling companies for valuable natural gas contained in underground Marcellus shale.
In February, Mr. Rendell proposed that the state generate about $100 million in revenue by imposing a severance tax on the thousands of cubic feet of gas that is expected from areas of Marcellus shale. The value of the tax revenue has dropped recently with drops in natural gas prices.
Mr. Rendell recently said he would like to postpone enactment of that tax until next July. Some rank-and-file House Democrats support a severance tax on the natural gas, but it has met strong resistance in the Republican-controlled Senate.
First Published October 6, 2009 2:06 pm
