November 24, 2004—The Pennsylvania legislature recently approved SB1030, the Alternative Energy Bill. John Hanger, President and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) applauded the approval and thanked Governor Rendell for his leadership in support of the bill.
“This bill puts Pennsylvania in the forefront of clean and renewable energy technology and development,” said Hanger. “This legislation will create thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs, attract billions in private investment to Pennsylvania, stimulate local tax bases, help clean our air and water, provide incentives to reclaim piles of coal waste at abandoned mines, spur energy conservation, and actually lower electricity prices by creating a greater, more diverse supply of electricity. It is excellent for the environment, great for the economy, and a giant step in moving Pennsylvania’s energy industry into the 21st Century.”
The Alternative Energy Bill requires 18% of the electricity sold in Pennsylvania to come from renewable and advanced energy sources within 15 years. The bill sets up two categories of energy sources required to be used by all power companies selling electricity in Pennsylvania: Tier 1 energy sources including wind, solar, and biomass; and Tier 2 energy sources including energy saved from new energy efficiency measures and coal waste. Energy companies will have to obtain 8% of their power from Tier 1 resources and 10% of their power from Tier 2 resources.
“This bill is a major leap forward for Pennsylvania’s environment,” continued Hanger. “Under its provisions, we will have eight times more green energy—most of it wind power—than we have right now. That’s enough to power more than one million homes. And there are guarantees for solar power, and protections against any source of energy that makes more pollution than we currently suffer. It calls for extensive energy efficiency and conservation measures, and it includes all electricity customers.
