|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Camille "Bud" George |
|
Environmental panel sends rate-cap-extension bill to House
Senate counterpart OKs Rep. George’s bill creating Pa. Energy Office
HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 – State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said the panel today OK’d his legislation that would spare Pennsylvanians from devastating electric-rate increases for at least two additional years.
"Special Session House Bill 54 would extend the rate caps now protecting about 80 percent of all Pennsylvanians until New Year’s Day 2013," said Rep. George, D-74 of Clearfield County. "It also would require that power be purchased at the lowest reasonable rates through long-term, short-term and spot markets."
Under House Bill 54, utilities could seek rate-cap relief annually if they show significant changes in their costs. The committee voted 17-12 to send the legislation to the full House.
"Pennsylvania is not prepared to deal with the $4 billion jolt to the pocketbooks of its citizens and businesses that will occur with the end of the rate caps," Rep. George said. "It’s time to insulate the consumers rather than the utilities already reaping record profits and expecting a bigger bounty with double-digit rate increases."
Rep. George also said that the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today OK’d an amended version of his House Bill 36, which would create a state Energy Office within the Department of Environmental Protection to promote energy development and conservation.
"We need a focused effort on energy issues rather than the current shotgun approach with energy-related initiatives scattered across different state agencies," Rep. George said.
In other matters today, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved:
● House Resolution 848, introduced by Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-191 of Delaware and Philadelphia counties, urging increased federal funding for LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program;
● Rep. George’s House Resolution 843, which would give the committee subpoena powers to investigate energy initiatives;
● HB 1164, introduced by Rep. James Wansacz, D-114 of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, which would give host municipalities veto powers over landfill permits.
, and Wyoming counties
###mjm/2008/
l:'print'releases'
|
CONTACT: Matthew Maciorkoski |