|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
CONTACT: |
State Rep. |
|
id="_x0000_i1026" |
|
|
|
|
DePasquale: Pa. one step closer to declaring its energy independence
House Committee endorses measure to provide incentives for alternative energy production
HARRISBURG, June 13 -- State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, announced today that legislation he introduced as part of the state’s Energy Independence Strategy cleared a major hurdle as members of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved the measure.
The action by the committee brings Pennsylvania one step closer to implementing one component of an overall energy plan that would create 35,000 jobs and save $10 billion in energy costs over the next decade.
The bill (H.B. 1200) would expand the Pennsylvania Economic Development Authority to encourage energy independence through tax credits, grants and loans and other incentives offered to alternative energy and energy-efficient companies.
DePasquale said his measure has received significant support from all stakeholders, including several key members of the state’s business sector, who stood side by side with him and Gov. Ed Rendell during a news conference Tuesday. He added that this most recent endorsement by his colleagues in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee shows the overwhelming support for promoting state investment in homegrown and Pennsylvania-produced alternative energy sources.
“Moving Pennsylvania toward energy independence is critical and the time for action is now,” DePasquale said. “It is important that we not only address the policy issues that hinder us from truly getting to the root of the problem, but also that we think outside the box and provide incentives that will encourage industries to be more energy-efficient plus bring new economic development opportunities to our region.
“By investing in alternative energy and moving away from our dependence on foreign oil, we have an opportunity to create jobs, build our economy and protect our environment and national security interests, as well as strengthen the energy industry and add cost savings for consumers,” DePasquale said. “With the support we have seen from economic development officials, business leaders and now state lawmakers, it is obvious that we are ready to move forward with this agenda and finally implement policies that will encourage energy independence.
“We can finally move past the debate on whether to clean our environment or grow our economy. We are proving that we can do both.”
DePasquale added that he will be holding a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. today, Wednesday, June 13 at the West York Fire Hall, Reliance Fire Co., 1341 W. Market St. on the issue of energy independence and environmental protection. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty will participate in the meeting and will be available to answer questions.
For more information regarding this legislation, or tonight’s town hall meeting, please contact DePasquale’s constituent service office at 717-848-9595, or visit his Web site at www.pahouse.com/depasquale.
###wt/2007/mjh
l:\print\releases\peda_committee.095
Attention Radio News Directors: an actuality from Rep. DePasquale is available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA95 (7-2-95) and the pound sign (#) at the menu prompt to get today’s sound. You can also download the sound in .mp3 format by visiting www.pahouse.com/mediacenter.