Republican candidate for governor and State Sen. Corman (R-34) made two stops in the county on Monday.

“I believe the energy economy is the way… to rebuild our population,” Corman said.

He met with representatives of the oil and gas development industry to learn about regulatory challenges they face.

Corman toured two Cameron Energy facilities and spoke with Tyler Martin and John Stewart of Cameron Energy, Sam Harvey of Bull Run Resources, and Paul Morris of Blackhawk Energy.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Tyler Martin of Cameron Energy, right, talks Monday to State Sen. Jake Corman, who is running for governor, about some of the equipment the company needs in order to plug orphan wells. Corman was in Warren for a campaign and educational visit.

The developers talked about orphan wells and the process and expense involved in plugging them.

According to the developers, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is estimating that there are 200,000 orphaned wells in the state. Abandoned wells are not the fault of current developers – the overwhelming majority were drilled before any regulation existed, they said. But, those wells become the concern of current developers. Plugging those wells can costs tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the developers are the ones with the equipment and expertise to handle the work.

After hearing about the extent of the problem, Corman said, “This issue is not going away.”

Following the education stop, Corman met up with the tour bus at Cornerstone Lounge and Family Restaurant in Warren for a petition signing.

“I’m traveling the northern tier today, campaigning and mixing in education,” Corman said. “Anybody can come up with policy in Harrisburg.”

He said he wants to have a first-hand look at some of the challenges and opportunities facing Pennsylvanians.

“Our Pennsylvania restaurants endured so much during Gov. Tom Wolf’s unnecessary pandemic lockdowns,” Corman said. “We love to patronize their establishments and let them know that will never happen when I’m governor.”

“Given what’s happening in Ukraine and our skyrocketing fuel prices, it’s important to call attention to our domestic oil producers here in Pennsylvania, like Cameron Energy,” he said. Started in 1988, Cameron operates 2,000 conventional oil and gas wells in Warren, Forest and McKean counties. They supply natural gas to local homes, hospitals and schools, and refine oil for gasoline and home products.”

Earlier Monday, Corman made stops in Erie County as part of his Small-Town PA Bus Tour.

“The tour… will provide Corman an opportunity to meet with Pennsylvania residents and business owners to learn more about the challenges they face and discuss his plans to fight for their personal freedoms, improve education opportunities for children and adults, create jobs, and support law enforcement to protect our communities,” according to a release.