|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State Rep.
Greg Vitali
D-Delaware |
|
Energy legislation to be discussed at community meeting
Officials and environmental business leaders to answer questions
HARRISBURG, April 11 – State Reps. Greg Vitali and Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, along with PennFuture, will host a community meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, April 28 in the downstairs auditorium of the Helen Kate Furness Free Library, 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford, to discuss energy legislation, including conservation, smart metering and funding bills.
The panel is part of a group trying to encourage Pennsylvania Senate passage of H.B. 2200 and Special Session H.B. 1. These bills have already been passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
House Bill 2200 would require electric utilities to provide smart meters to their customers so they can save money on energy costs by allowing them to buy electricity at cheaper, off-peak periods. The bill would provide for the implementation of cost-effective programs to reduce energy demand and consumption in Pennsylvania.
Special Session H.B. 1 would allocate $850 million for research, development and deployment of various alternative energy projects and technologies, and the establishment of high performance or "green" building standards. The legislation also would allow the state to invest money in attracting alternative energy-producing companies to the area.
"Not only will these bills help decrease our dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gases, they will also help keep utility bills down," Vitali said. "It’s important that the Senate act now on this legislation."
In addition to Vitali and Lentz, speakers will include PennFuture President John Hangar; Charles Reichner of Heat Shed, a solar energy company; and Matt Lillard of Green Savers LLC, an energy conservation business in Delaware County.
The program will conclude with questions for the panel. For more information, contact Vitali’s constituent service office at 610-789-3900.
###jma/2008/mjh
l:'print'releases'april28meet.166