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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Petrone |
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Petrone to introduce legislation to improve Guaranteed Energy Savings Act
HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Thomas Petrone, D-Allegheny, has announced plans to introduce legislation that would allow public housing authorities, or PHAs, to gain more benefit from a state law that allows state and local governments and agencies to use future cost savings to pay for energy-saving upgrades to their facilities.
Petrone's bill would allow PHAs to extend energy performance contracts with third parties from 15 to 20 years. The contracts are available under the state's Guaranteed Energy Savings Act, which allows state and local agencies to enter into energy performance contracts with a third party to make energy efficiency improvements and upgrades. The third party pays for the initial cost, and the agency uses the savings over the next 15 years to pay that cost back. Petrone said extending the payback period for housing authorities would allow them to make more energy improvements and save more money over time.
"This legislation would give public housing authorities 20 years to pay for energy-efficient improvements instead of 15," Petrone said. "The ability to make improvements like installing new windows and replacing heating systems and wall insulation helps these authorities provide better housing for low-income residents. My bill would allow public housing authorities to further implement cost and energy-saving measures, and grant them the opportunity to reap more benefits over a longer period of time."
"By extending the length of contracts, we are bringing Pennsylvania's program up to par with the federal level," Petrone said.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also offers incentives to housing authorities that implement energy conservation measures to cut costs. Petrone added that a longer time period for energy savings contracts would also maximize a housing authorities' ability to qualify for the maximum amount of energy contract incentives offered by HUD.
Petrone is currently seeking co-sponsors for the legislation.
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