With Pennsylvania’s November election less than a week away, the two leading candidates for the State Senate’s District 46 seat met with local residents to discuss the future of the region’s oil and gas sector. The district, which includes Washington and Greene counties, is home to nearly 4,000 wells drilled in Washington County since 2007 and more than 3,500 in Greene County since 2003.

Economic importance of oil and gas

Washington County ranked third in the Commonwealth for Barrel of Oil Equivalent (BOE) production as of ten months ago, underscoring the industry’s role in the local economy. Both candidates stressed that families in the district rely on a steady, “life‑sustaining, non‑boom‑or‑bust” energy sector.

Bartolotta’s stance on state policy

Incumbent Republican Senator Camera Bartolotta, who is seeking a fourth term, warned that a proposed state carbon tax – a measure dating back to the administration of former Governor Tom Wolf – has discouraged new investment. “When you have that threat, you’re not going to get multi‑million‑dollar or billions of dollars’ worth of investment to produce more energy in Pennsylvania,” she said. “We haven’t had new investment and new energy production in Pennsylvania for six and a half years because of that.” Bartolotta argued that rolling brownouts and blackouts could become a reality without additional energy on the grid.

Borello’s focus on safety and jobs

Independent candidate Jodi Borello, a Washington County native, emphasized that she is not opposed to oil, gas, or coal mining. “It would be devastating if our region lost those employees,” she told Action News 4. Borello said her priority is to ensure that both workers and residents are protected, calling for a review of safety and health standards while maintaining the industry’s presence.

Local families and the energy outlook

Both candidates framed the discussion around the needs of District 46 families, who have long depended on the sector for stable employment and tax revenue. They agreed that a reliable energy supply is essential for everyday life, even as they diverged on how best to achieve it.

What voters can expect

As the election approaches, voters in Washington and Greene counties will weigh the candidates’ differing approaches: Bartolotta’s push to eliminate the carbon‑tax threat and attract new investment, versus Borello’s emphasis on safety oversight while preserving existing jobs. The outcome will shape the district’s energy policy and its impact on local families for years to come.

Original reporting: WTAE (Hearst) – local — read the source article.