Krueger-Braneky highlights report showing advanced energy would benefit Pennsylvania’s economy

Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky    April 6, 2016 | 6:23 PM

HARRISBURG, April 6 – State Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-Delaware, highlighted a report released today by the American Jobs Project as further evidence that a diverse advanced energy portfolio could increase jobs across the state and propel Pennsylvania closer to energy independence.

“This exciting report from the American Jobs Project, which shows the economic might of existing advanced energy companies in Pennsylvania and the incredible potential for job creation in the future, can only be realized if elected officials support the proper policies now,” Krueger-Braneky said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to implement commonsense policy solutions and push Pennsylvania toward a diversified energy economy while creating thousands of jobs.”

According to the study published by the Pennsylvania Jobs Project:

  • The retirement of coal facilities presents Pennsylvania with an opportunity to increase investments in the advanced energy sector. Attracting new companies and growing existing solar and smart building companies located in Pennsylvania could ensure that money filtering out of the coal industry is spent within the commonwealth to boost the local economy and maintain jobs for Pennsylvanians;
  • Pennsylvania’s solar industry is an ideal mechanism for job growth due to its strong foundation of existing solar companies, supportive policies, and potential for export to neighboring states;
  • Pennsylvania’s solar industry has the opportunity to employ an average of 5,700 residents annually over the next 15 years;
  • The smart building and energy efficiency industry in Pennsylvania is ripe for growth due to its existing anchor companies, utility-implemented energy efficiency programs, local government energy efficiency leadership in major cities, and state incremental electricity savings and peak demand targets;
  • The smart building industry in Pennsylvania could employ an average of over 5,900 Pennsylvanians annually over the next 15 years.

“Pennsylvania has the ability to become a national leader in finding ways to power our lives through advanced energy while creating thousands of much-needed jobs,” Krueger-Braneky said. “As legislators, we owe it to our constituents to pursue any policy that would be beneficial to both our energy sector and the economy. We cannot afford to pass on win-win situations like this.”

The full report can be found at: http://americanjobsproject.us/ajp-state/pennsylvania/.  

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