04/22/24 - 117 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/9bh4zbtr
| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
DePasquale Legislation To Raise Alternative Energy Standards
|
|
Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would significantly boost the amount of energy in Pennsylvania derived from cleaner, alternative energy sources. This shift would help create new manufacturing jobs in the Commonwealth and provide enough clean energy to power 2.1 million homes. "We have proven to be a leader in alternative energy, but our work is not done," Rep. DePasquale said. "Since the Clean Energy Act passed six years ago, other states have bypassed us. Their efforts will make them more attractive for investment and reduce Pennsylvania’s competitiveness. Even through the recession we added alternative energy manufacturing jobs. However, we must push forward to protect Pennsylvania’s place as an alternative energy leader."
Rep. DePasquale said his legislation would strengthen the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 by requiring 28 percent of Pennsylvania’s energy come from clean sources by 2024; the current requirement is 18 percent by 2020. It would nearly double the share of energy that must come from the cleanest sources by requiring 15 percent – increased from 8 percent – of energy be derived from wind, low-impact hydro, geothermal, biologically derived methane gas, fuel cells, biomass energy, coal mine methane and solar. This includes a six-fold increase in the solar requirement from 0.5 to 3 percent.
In addition, this legislation would provide a pathway for cleaner coal technologies by requiring 3 percent of energy come from carbon capture and sequestration. This would allow coal to be used in a way that is better for our environment while maintaining critically important industry jobs in southwestern Pennsylvania, Rep. DePasquale said.
Consumers also would be protected in this legislation by requiring the state Public Utility Commission to delay the alternative energy requirements by the utilities if it determines the cost of compliance is too high or there isn’t enough alternative energy ready for the grid.
"The job creation will be huge for our state," Rep. DePasquale said. "We will be giving the private sector the number to shoot for. They will then have the confidence to invest in these technologies. Plus, the construction and installation work that accompanies these investments will pay large dividends for our middle class families throughout the state."
This legislation also would build upon Rep. DePasquale’s Alternative Energy Investment Act of 2008, which invested $650 million into alternative energy resources. That law provides consumers and businesses with low-interest loans for geothermal, wind and solar installation, creating alternative energy manufacturing jobs across the state all while saving consumers money and boosting Pennsylvania's economy.
|
|
|
4/12/2010 |
|
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |
