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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tony Payton, Jr.
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Payton to introduce bill promoting renewable energy development in Pa.
HARRISBURG, June 30 – State Rep. Tony Payton Jr., D-Phila., will introduce a package of bills aimed at expanding efforts to create a greener economy in Pennsylvania. The bills will have a unique focus on increasing visibility and oversight of "green jobs" in Pennsylvania, while expanding the state's clean energy research and development initiatives.
Payton's legislation would create a Green Economy Center to serve as the Commonwealth's principal office on the promotion and development of the "green" industry. The office would provide direct oversight on the creation and support of new and existing clean energy ventures in Pennsylvania.
"It is important that Pennsylvania continue to be at the forefront of developing a greener and a more sustainable economy," Payton said. "I believe now is the time to act; poor economic conditions have led to significant interest in renewable and cost-efficient energy resources, as well as in new opportunities for jobs in the emerging green economy."
Payton added that the center would help monitor federal dollars for greening that have been coming to the state as part of President Obama's and Congress' economic strategy.
Under Payton's bill, a Green Jobs Fund would also be established to provide grants to stimulate the expansion of clean energy research and development and job creation. Grants would be available to small businesses, educational institutions, community-based organizations, and companies that provide employment opportunities in the green sector for those having a family income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Payton is also introducing related legislation that would establish an executive director of green jobs analysis. The position would establish and monitor green jobs in Pennsylvania, including jobs that provide products and services that use renewable resources, reduce pollution, conserve energy and natural resources and reconstitute waste.
The position would be appointed by the state secretary of Labor and Industry to work within the department's Center for Workforce Information and Analysis.
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