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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Matthew
Maciorkoski |
State Rep. Camille “Bud”
George |
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Rep. George hails progress on Energy Independence Strategy
HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, Democratic chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, hailed today’s progress on Pennsylvania’s Energy Independence Strategy.
“The House today gave final approval to two of the four bills vital to Pennsylvania’s energy future,” said Rep. George, D-74 of Clearfield County. “The other two bills await further action on the House floor.”
The two bills approved on bipartisan votes in the House and sent to the state Senate are:
● HB 1200, sponsored by Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-95 of York, which would expand the Pennsylvania Economic Development Authority and encourage energy independence, energy efficiency and conservation and local alternative energy production through rebates, grants, loans, and other incentives.
● HB 1202, the Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Gerber, D-148 of Montgomery County, which would accelerate Pennsylvania’s growing bio-fuels industry.
HB 1203, offered by Rep. John Hornaman, D-3 of Erie County, awaits final passage. The bill would increase Pennsylvania’s clean-energy capabilities, emphasizing solar, hydro and wind power.
Rep. George said moving Pennsylvania toward energy independence – and creating 35,000 jobs and saving $10 billion over the next 10 years -- hinges on approval of his HB 1201, which was approved by the House Consumer Affairs Committee Tuesday and sent to the full House.
“None of the other responsible goals of the strategy – improving the environment, creating jobs and protecting consumers – is possible without House Bill 1201,” Rep. George said. “It is the lynchpin to making Pennsylvania an energy leader instead of a loser.”
Rep. George said the “systems benefits charge” in HB 1201 would seed an $850 million Energy Independence Fund that would fuel Pennsylvania’s advances in conservation, clean energy and energy diversification.
“The charge – less than $6 a year for homeowners -- should save those consumers nearly almost $75 a year in energy savings,” Rep. George said. “House Bill 1201 would enable Pennsylvania to act now to counter the job- and economy-killing electric rate increases looming on the horizon.
“If House Bill 1201 saves us – homeowners, businesses and industries – money it shouldn’t be smeared as a tax increase,” Rep. George said. “We must take bold action on energy now or remain forever weak, dependent and beholden to special interests.”