Job Loss

Pennsylvania is the fourth largest coal producer in the nation with nearly 50,000 jobs associated with the industry. When you include other fossil fuel related industries, such as petroleum and natural gas, that number climbs significantly.

However, job loss is not limited to only those related to fossil fuels. Current climate change legislation will have a severe impact manufacturing jobs as well. With energy costs soaring, companies may choose to outsource their manufacturing to countries like China and India who have chosen not to increase energy costs by limiting their greenhouse gas emissions, thus giving them an unfair advantage. Foreign competition will prosper at our expense. It is estimated that more than 84,000 Pennsylvania jobs could be lost in just a few years.

And, although many are touting the new, alternative energy jobs that will be developed as a part of this bill, studies show that for every “green job” created more than two existing jobs will be lost. In fact, lost jobs across the country are expected to top one million.

Quick Facts

• Unemployment due to current climate change legislation is expected to top 1 million workers, including 84,000 here in Pennsylvania within a few years.
• India and China have already said they will not match U.S. environmental goals in order to protect their economies.