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To: Editorial/Opinion Page Editor
From: State Rep. Chris King, 142nd Legislative District
Subject: Energy Office
King appreciates recognition of energy measure
I would like to applaud the Patriot-News for recognizing Pennsylvania's need for a state energy office separate from the Department of Environmental Protection, and thank you for writing about the state House of Representative’s recent efforts to establish such an office. You smartly recognized that this measure does not "represent another pointless bureaucratic expansion," but seeks a solution for a real need in this state and the country: the need for energy independence.
I am proud to say that I introduced House Bill 1207, which subsequently became Special Session House Bill 16, because I, too, believe that we need a permanent agency dedicated to promoting energy strategies in Pennsylvania. I'm thrilled that my colleagues in the House recognized this need by overwhelmingly passing Special Session House Bill 16 by a vote of 201-2. The bill is now awaiting action by the state Senate. It is my sincere hope that the Senate swiftly considers this matter so that it may become law.
Every day, our pockets, our environment and our communities suffer due to our reliance on foreign oil. It is time we start taking some action to change this reality.
You hit the nail on the head when you said that energy in Pennsylvania "needs to have an agency all its own as its champion, without any other responsibilities that might compromise what should be its first and only priority."
Kudos to the Patriot-News for recognizing the need to seriously elevate the conversation about energy.
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State Rep. Chris King (www.pahouse.com/King) represents the 142nd Legislative District in Bucks County.