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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Michael Gerber |
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Clean fuels bill again supported by House committee
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – The state House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today approved Rep. Mike Gerber’s landmark clean fuels legislation. Gerber has continued to urge lawmakers to approve his bill, which would significantly reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil, improve the environmental quality of Pennsylvania’s fuel and stimulate energy-related economic development in the state.
This summer, with more than a two-thirds vote, the House passed Gerber’s legislation, H.B. 1202, but the bill stalled in the Senate. Gerber’s bill is running again as part of the ongoing Special Session on Energy. The Senate, however, doesn’t have to wait on Gerber’s Special Session version (S.S.H.B. 2) and could pass H.B.1202 to advance the bill to the governor’s desk.
“I’m pleased with the strong bipartisan support my legislation received this summer and am just hopeful the Senate will act,” Gerber said. “Today’s vote demonstrates the House is committed to a cleaner environment, energy independence and economic development.”
The Clean Fuels and Energy Independence Act would make Pennsylvania more energy independent and put the state in the forefront of the alternative energy industry.
Specifically, Gerber’s legislation would:
Mandate the blending of 10 percent ethanol in gasoline and eventually 20 percent biodiesel in diesel fuels once in-state production reaches certain levels.
Establish renewable fuel production and distribution standards to advance the shift to cleaner and cheaper domestic fuel sources.
Stimulate the Pennsylvania economy with in-state production of these renewable fuels.
If Gerber’s bill becomes law it would put Pennsylvania on track to produce enough homegrown fuel to replace all of the fuel the state now imports from the Persian Gulf.
Gerber’s bill is one of the key components of a new Energy Independence Strategy being pursued by House Democrats and Gov. Ed Rendell. The package of bills, all co-sponsored by Gerber, would improve the environment, reduce dependence on foreign oil, reduce energy and fuel costs for consumers, and position Pennsylvania to take advantage of the burgeoning alternative energy marketplace.
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Attention Radio News Directors: an actuality from Rep. Gerber is available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA148 (7-2-148) 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.
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CONTACT: Mike Storm |