FROM: State Rep. Don Walko, D-North Side

TO: Editor

DATE: March 20, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT: Ben Turner, 717-787-7895, bturner@pahouse.net

State Representative Don Walko Reports:

Walko votes for major energy-independence bill

The price of oil has climbed past $100 a barrel, and some experts are now predicting $4 gas later this spring. Pennsylvania is one of the states where diesel fuel has already passed $4 a gallon. We need to make a major step forward on energy independence, and I and a majority of the state House recently voted for Pennsylvania to do just that.

Our economy is at risk, and we need to break our addiction to oil from the Middle East and start using more of our energy dollars to create jobs here.

The House passed Special Session H.B. 1, which would establish an $850 million bond fund paid for by tapping into existing gross receipts taxes on electric bills. The funding would be used to promote low-pollution, in-state energy generation and investment and attract private-sector funds to reduce Pennsylvania's dependence on Middle Eastern oil and other foreign energy sources.

The state's current energy investment programs have created more than 2,500 jobs. But funding is limited and the state is only able to support 10 percent of requests, losing out on at least $100 million in potential investments every year. The $850 million energy fund would provide:

· $244 million -- Rebates for energy-efficient household appliances and grants to incentivize the use of solar power;

· $106 million -- Venture capital, grants and loans for the expansion of alternative-energy companies in Pennsylvania;

· $500 million -- Clean-energy projects and development or equipment costs for specific alternative-energy economic development projects.

The state House has taken a major step forward by passing this energy independence policy. By establishing our own homegrown energy resources based on alternative fuel sources, we would cut down on the $30 billion that Pennsylvania families and businesses currently ship overseas to buy energy each year.

The House also recently passed "green building" legislation that would promote environmentally friendly construction and renovation in Pennsylvania. Conserving energy is another way to reduce our dependence on foreign energy and to cut down on pollution.

The "green buildings" bill, along with the newly passed Special Session H.B. 1 and other components of the state's Energy Independence Strategy, await consideration in the Senate.

If you have questions on a state-related issue or subject, please call my office at 412-321-5523.