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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Majority
Leader Bill DeWeese |
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House Democrats deliver on comprehensive energy agenda
Proposals give consumers more control over energy bills, encourage conservation,
invest in alternative and renewable energy
HARRISBURG, March 11 – Pennsylvania consumers and power-generating utilities would have more tools to cut energy bills through conservation and investment in alternative energy thanks to a package of legislation passed by the state House, according to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese and Whip Keith McCall.
“We cannot and should not stand idly by and depend on the philanthropy of Middle Eastern sheiks when it comes to guaranteeing affordable energy for our homes, small businesses and industrial facilities,” DeWeese said. “These measures address our problems at the source – investing in Pennsylvania innovation and power generation while giving the men and women paying the bills the clout over how those bills are calculated.”
One of the bills, Special Session House Bill 1, was sponsored by state Rep. Eugene DePasquale of York County and passed by the House today. The bill would establish an $850 million bond fund paid for by tapping into existing Gross Receipts Taxes on electric bills to create a Clean Energy Program that promotes low-pollution, state-based energy generation and investment to reduce the Commonwealth’s dependence on Middle East oil and other foreign energy sources.
“Pennsylvanians send $30 billion overseas to buy energy every year – nearly $60,000 every minute of every day – and enough is enough,” McCall said. “We need to attack this problem from two sides, and this measure does that – saving us $10 billion over the next 10 years.
“We’re using more alternative energy sources based in the state like solar power, wind energy and hydroelectric, but we’re also investing in the fastest-growing industry in America by investing in research into other forms of energy. Companies doing cutting-edge research can and should be here in Pennsylvania helping to generate power and generate good-paying jobs.”
The legislation would invest in the Commonwealth through:
n $106 million in venture capital – matched dollar-for-dollar by private funds – to attract cutting-edge energy firms to the state;
n $500 million to improve infrastructure and attract private investment in alternative energy generation and energy conservation;
n $244 million in rebates and loans for Energy Star certified home improvements and Energy Star certified efficient appliance purchases as well as “Sunshine Grants” to promote the use of solar power.
The other major piece of energy-related legislation is House Bill 2200, sponsored by House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Camille “Bud” George and passed in February. The bill would establish a timeline for power-generating utilities to reduce total energy output by 2.5 percent by 2013 and peak demand energy output by 4 percent by 2012.
“It’s cheaper to save energy than to build more power plants that would cost consumers billions of dollars and take years to bring on line,” McCall said. “Also, the common-sense conservation efforts in House Bill 2200 will help to reduce the strain on the systems during the highest-demand peak period that lead to rolling blackouts or utilities being forced to purchase expensive electricity from other providers.
“Studies have shown reducing peak demand by just 1 percent can cut prices by 10 percent.”
The leaders noted that H.B. 2200 also contains a provision that would require utilities to provide “smart meters” that allow residential and small-business consumers to have more control over when – and at what rate – they buy electricity.
“We can choose to buy gasoline when prices are low, buy fresh fruit when it is in season and vacation in the off-season to save money,” DeWeese said. “Smart meters allow consumers to say ‘I will buy electricity when it is the cheapest’ and I believe our citizens deserve that ability.”
Both pieces of legislation head to the Senate for consideration.
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CONTACT: Tom Andrews 717-783-3797 |