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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
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Caltagirone welcomes House passage of important energy bill
HARRISBURG, March 12 – State Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, said he commends the state House for passing legislation that would establish a clean-energy program in Pennsylvania.
"By passing Special Session House Bill 1, we have completed the first step in bringing energy independence to Pennsylvania consumers and businesses,” Caltagirone said. “We have created and passed a vehicle for advancing broad energy conservation mechanisms in the state and my only hope is that the Senate embraces this plan.”
Caltagirone said the bill would give Pennsylvania consumers and power-generating utilities more tools to cut energy bills through conservation and investment in alternative energy.
The legislation would invest in the Commonwealth through:
n $106 million in venture capital – matched dollar-for-dollar by private funds – to attract cutting-edge energy firms to the state;
n $500 million to improve infrastructure and attract private investment in alternative energy generation and energy conservation;
n $244 million in rebates and loans for Energy Star-certified home improvements and Energy Star-certified efficient appliance purchases as well as “Sunshine Grants” to promote the use of solar power.
The bill would create a clean-energy program that would promote low-pollution, state-based energy generation and investment to reduce the Commonwealth’s dependence on Middle Eastern oil and other foreign energy sources. Caltagirone said the legislation also is expected to create more than 13,000 jobs in Pennsylvania.
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