Renewable energy sources. Less dependence on foreign oil. Energy efficiency at a lower cost. Tax breaks for your car, home or business. All are part of the House Democrats' Energy Independence Strategy to invest in the state’s economy while protecting consumers and the environment.

The House Democrats' energy plan would achieve three goals:

  • Save consumers $10 billion over 10 years
  • Reduce reliance on foreign fuels
  • Create and sustain high-tech jobs

Electric Reliability at a Lower Cost

House Bill 2200

The No. 1 priority in the House Democrats' energy plan is the consumer. Electric generation rates can swing wildly during the course of the day and at different times of the year. Our plan enables consumers to take control of their energy use and costs with targeted strategies.

Smart Metering – Every home and business would be equipped with a smart meter within 10 years to give consumers a new tool to reduce utility bills. Utilities would be required to make available voluntary “Time of Use” (like a cell phone plan) rates and voluntary “Real Time Pricing” (hour to hour) rates. All consumers would still be able to continue using their current “same price all day” rate if they choose.

Energy Conservation – Power generators and distributors would invest in conservation. Utilities would have to reduce overall energy output by 2.5 percent, and peak demand by customers by 4 percent. Without it, Pennsylvanians would need to build the equivalent of five large nuclear or coal-fired power plants at a cost of over $10 billion to meet the growing demand for electricity.

In the long run, it is less expensive to employ measures that will conserve power than it is to build more facilities to produce more power. House Bill 2200 serves the long-term needs of consumers and the Commonwealth.

Bill Status: Passed the House Feb. 12, 2008. Awaiting Senate action.

The Energy Independence Fund

Special Session House Bill 1

PA’s current energy investment programs have created more than 2,500 jobs. But funding is limited and the state is only able to support 10 percent of requests, losing out on at least $100 million in potential investments every year. The $850 million energy fund would provide:

  • $244 million – Energy efficient household appliance rebates and Grants to incent the use of solar power.

  • $106 million - Venture capital, grants and loans for the expansion of alternative energy companies.

  • $500 million - Clean energy projects and development or equipment costs for specific alternative energy economic development projects.

Bill Status: Passed the House March 11, 2008. Awaiting Senate action.

Reducing Reliance on Foreign Fuel

House Bill 1202

Pennsylvanians send some $30 billion outside our borders each year just to buy gas and liquid fuels. House Democrats want to keep those dollars at home and put our own people to work building PA's energy future.

PennSecurity Fuels Standards – To guarantee the shift to cleaner alternative fuels and to bring economic stability to PA's alternative fuels sector, the “PennSecurity Fuels Initiative” would have the state grow and use 1 billion gallons of clean and renewable fuels. One billion gallons of biofuel represents about 12.5 percent of all PA fuel consumption and, by 2017, would nearly equal the amount of fuel Pennsylvanians buy from the Persian Gulf.

The standard would require every gallon of gas sold in PA to have 10 percent ethanol, and every gallon of diesel to have an increasing amount (up to 20 percent) of soy or other renewable oil.

Bill Status: Passed the House June 20, 2007. Awaiting Senate action.

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