House Environmental Committee Reports Out Green Building, Energy Office Bills

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out bills setting incentives and requirements for green buildings and establishing a State Energy Office. They include:

 

-- House Bill 43 (Harper-R-Montgomery) establishing a high-performance, green building construction tax credit (amended),"Tax credits are a way of offering the construction industry carrots to try building green. Believe me, they are ready for this – there is a real excitement about doing green projects, and this bill offers encouragement in an otherwise depressing market," Rep. Harper said;

 

-- House Bill 444 (M.Smith-D-Allegheny) requiring state funded building projects to meet certain green building standards; and

 

-- House Bill 786 (George-D-Clearfield) establishing a State Energy Office within the Department of Environmental Protection,"Pennsylvania deserves focused, concentrated efforts on energy development and conservation, and House Bill 786 would enable a State Energy Office to forge a consistent energy policy," said Rep. George.

 

All three bills were then referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Minority Chair.

 

NewsClip: Bill Resurrecting State Energy Office Wins Support