Sep 27, 2013 2 min read

At its inaugural meeting Tuesday, state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, was named co-chair of the Senate’s newly formed Coal Caucus, Senate leaders announced.

“There are thousands of jobs on the line in Southwestern Pennsylvania as market forces threaten a key component of our energy portfolio,” Solobay said. “I’m honored that my colleagues have trusted me to lead the effort toward a more balanced energy strategy.”

The bipartisan Coal Caucus will serve as a focus group to help preserve Pennsylvania’s coal industry, now threatened by a surge in natural gas production and harsh federal regulations on coal plants.

“Coal is critically important to our effort to reduce dependence on foreign fuels,” Solobay said. “In addition to being a major employer in Pennsylvania, the industry provides consumers with protection from energy shortages and price spikes.”

Solobay has been leading an effort to force the reconsideration of a decision to close the Mitchell and Hatfields Ferry power plants and has raised serious questions about the effect on consumers as well as the local economy.

“Clearly we need a unified strategy and the combined voices of lawmakers from across the state to get the attention of the power industry and the federal government,” Solobay said.

Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming, will serve as Republican co-chair.