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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Eugene DePasquale |
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House Energy Committee endorses DePasquale proposal
to invest in alternative energy production
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 -- State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, announced that legislation he introduced as part of the state’s Energy Independence Strategy and that is a cornerstone of the Special Session on Energy received support today from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
The action by the committee once again brings Pennsylvania a step closer to implementing one component of an overall energy plan that would create thousands of jobs, save the state billions of dollars in energy costs and create a long-term solution to the state’s energy crisis.
The bill (S.S.H.B. 1) would allocate $850 million in bond funding to the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and the Commonwealth Financing Agency to support research, development and deployment of various alternative energy projects and technologies. Based on percentages, DePasquale said the funding would be divided in a variety of ways to incentivize alternative energy production, including the creation of a rebate program for energy-efficient appliances and the establishment of a rebate and grant program for solar energy technologies. In addition, a percentage of the funding would provide grants and loans for alternative energy projects, alternative fuels, demand-side management and energy-efficient measures.
“Moving forward with our Energy Independence Strategy is vital to the future of Pennsylvania,” DePasquale said. “We are in a position to become a leader in alternative energy production and we need to continue to think outside the box and provide incentives that will encourage industries and consumers to be more energy efficient, while bringing new economic development opportunities to our region.”
DePasquale said that his legislation also would allow the state to invest money and attract alternative energy-producing companies to the area. Specifically, the bill would provide funding to the CFA for grants and loans to assist venture capital partnerships and businesses in locating to Pennsylvania. This would include infrastructure preparation and the development of high-efficient, advanced-energy business sites.
“By investing in alternative energy and moving away from our dependence on Middle East 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. “We have been studying this issue since the beginning of the year and we have received overwhelming support from economic development officials, business leaders and state lawmakers.
“It is obvious that we are ready to move forward with this proposal and finally implement policies that will encourage investment in alternative energies and provide a long-term approach to reducing consumer costs,” he said.
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CONTACT: Bill Thomas |