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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ruth
A. Myers |
State Rep. Mike O’Brien |
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Mike O’Brien hosts hearing to examine alternative fuels, new energy
PHILADELPHIA, March 2 – State Rep. Mike O’Brien, D-Phila., on Thursday hosted a House Majority Policy Committee hearing to gather testimony from state and local experts on alternative fuels and new energy technology. The hearing was hosted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, whose cutting-edge apprenticeship program is recognized for teaching tomorrow’s workers about new, green technology.
“Testimony from today’s participants emphasized the need for Pennsylvania to take advantage of the technological and economic growth that’s sure to come from investments in these areas,” O’Brien said. “The payoff will come down the road, as our economy and our environment thrive, thanks to clean energy that’s generated right here in Pennsylvania. We can be an example for other states.”
“Even though Mike O’Brien has only been a lawmaker for a short period, he’s already standing out from the crowd and is taking the lead on how Pennsylvania can expand an industry and create jobs with new fuel technologies,” said Policy Committee Chairman Todd Eachus. “I know today’s hearing is going to be a crucial step to bringing government, research facilities and private industry together to help move our state forward while reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources.”
Last month, Gov. Ed Rendell announced his Energy Independence Strategy to save consumers $10 billion over 10 years and reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil. The proposal requires the enactment of new laws, regulatory policies and the creation of an $850 million Energy Independence Fund in order to achieve three primary goals:
· save consumers $10 billion in energy costs over 10 years;
· reduce reliance on foreign oil and increase the state’s clean energy capacity; and
· expand energy production and energy technology sectors to create more jobs.
Since taking office in 2002, Rendell’s initiatives have allowed Pennsylvania to take enormous strides in diversifying the state’s energy portfolio. For example, Pennsylvania is home to a state-of-the-art bio-fuels injection facility, which opened in late 2006, and the country’s first coal gasification-liquefication plant, which will use waste coal to produce 40 million tons of clean-burning diesel fuel each year, is being built in northeastern Pennsylvania.
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