The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week amended and reported out House Bill 80 (Vitali-D-Delaware) expanding the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards and authorizing a carbon sequestration network.

The amendment, offered by Rep. Santarsiero (D-Bucks), stripped out the changes made in the House Appropriations Committee last week adding a new Tier III including "incremental nuclear power" as a source of alternative energy that could be used in addition to wind, solar and other alternative energy sources listed in Tier I of the standards.

The amendment was adopted by a 15 to 11 vote and the bill reported out of Committee by a 16 to 10 vote, largely along party lines, with the Democrats voting in favor.

The bill is now on the House Calendar for further action.

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

7/13/2009