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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith
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McIlvaine Smith joins call for Senate to act on Energy Independence Strategy
HARRISBURG, June 10 – House Democrats and Republicans joined forces at a Capitol news conference today to urge the state Senate to pass a package of bills designed to reduce Pennsylvania's reliance on foreign oil and make Pennsylvania a leader in the production and use of sustainable alternative energy.
State Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester, said passage of the Energy Independence Strategy would help Pennsylvania families make ends meet in the face of soaring energy costs.
"Soaring gas prices are causing the price of food and other necessities to skyrocket and even forcing many Pennsylvania families to rethink their summer vacation plans. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Just wait a couple of years when the electric rate caps expire and power companies are free to double their prices," McIlvaine Smith said. "We cannot wait another minute to take bold steps to rein in our energy usage and costs."
The focus of today's event were Special Session H.B. 1, which would provide incentives for businesses to produce and conserve energy and H.B. 2200, which would encourage energy conservation and give residents and the business the tools they need to cut their electric usage. McIlvaine Smith is a co-sponsor of both bills, and both bills were passed by the House and are awaiting action in the Senate.
McIlvaine Smith's Special Session H.B. 61 would increase the Alternative Fuel Incentive Fund rebate for hybrid vehicles from $500 to $750. It is currently being considered by the House Appropriations Committee, a final step before being voted on in the House.
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