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Corbett reiterates support for Shell cracker tax credit
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HARRISBURG -- In between his closed-door budget meetings with top Republican lawmakers, Gov. Tom Corbett this afternoon urged support for a tax credit for ethane-processing facilities that he is seeking to be part of that final legislative package.
The amount of available tax credits that his administration has proposed -- $66 million annually for 25 years -- could be changing as discussions with lawmakers continue toward a budget agreement, Mr. Corbett said.
"Let's see what the debate goes into," he said during an afternoon press conference. "I think you're going to see movement on that."
Mr. Corbett, flanked by more than two-dozen lawmakers, labor leaders and business officials, also reiterated his message that the state must do everything in its power to secure the proposed Shell Oil Co. petrochemical plant for Beaver County and the tens of thousands of jobs it promises.
Estimates from the American Chemical Council have projected that more than 17,000 jobs would be created in the chemical industry through the plant and spinoffs businesses along the supply chain.
The Department of Labor and Industry has been working on its own analysis of workforce needs related to the potential new plant. Agency secretary Julia Hearthway said their numbers "closely align" with those from the industry group so far, but final numbers are not yet available.
"It's going to be a lot of jobs," Mr. Corbett said. "They don't get the credit until they build it. If they don't build it, they get nothing."
First Published June 20, 2012 4:11 pm
