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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Gabrielle
A. Prutisto |
State Rep. John
Hornaman |
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Hornaman commends House for energy independence
Rep.’s legislation gets voted through to Senate
HARRISBURG, June 25 -- State Rep. John Hornaman, D-Erie, announced today that his alternative energy legislation, introduced as part of the governor’s Energy Independence Strategy for Pennsylvania, has been passed by the House of Representatives.
“Let’s face it, alternative energy from renewable sources, that’s our future. The members of the House know this, and that’s why it was passed. Now we have to get everyone else on board. By bringing alternative renewable energy into Pennsylvania, we’ll give the consumer more choices and the competition is going to be there to bring prices down,” Hornaman said.
Hornaman’s legislation (H.B. 1203) would increase the Commonwealth’s use of clean energy by requiring electrical suppliers to speed up their transition to alternative energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind power.
The legislation would also reward customers who produce a portion of their own electric power and return it to the grid by requiring electric companies to square their accounts with these customers on an annual basis, establish alternative-energy credit trading incentives and rules for expanding local power sources, and boost oversight to ensure compliance with clean- and alternative-energy requirements.
Hornaman predicts energy independence would save Pennsylvania $1 billion a year in energy costs, and create 35,000 new jobs in the alternative energy field.
“I firmly believe the time to do something is now; we can’t afford to wait,” Hornaman said. “These initiatives would truly make Pennsylvania a leader in the nation when it comes to energy."
Hornaman said the goal is to build a homegrown energy industry that provides cleaner power and high-tech jobs statewide while reducing our reliance of foreign sources of energy.
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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