Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Friday introduced House Bill 100 which would increase the amount of electricity companies such as PECO and PPL must obtain from renewable sources such as wind and solar.

Rep. Vitali said the purpose of the legislation is to help address climate change and create good, green jobs.

"Superstorm Sandy was a reminder of the consequences we face if we ignore the climate change issue," said Rep. Vitali, Democratic chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. "We will not solve this problem without increasing our use of renewable energy.”

The bill would amend the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act by requiring Pennsylvania electric companies to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2023. The AEPS now requires electric companies to purchase 8 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2021. For 2013, Pennsylvania’s AEPS requires 4 percent to come from renewable energy sources.

Currently, 0.05 percent of Pennsylvania electricity must come from solar energy, and that would increase to 0.5 percent under the AEPS in place by 2021. Vitali's bill would increase that amount to 1.5 percent by 2023.

Rep. Vitali also noted that in contrast to Pennsylvania's law, New Jersey will require 17.88 percent of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2021 and 4.1 percent from solar sources by 2028. For 2013, New Jersey requires 7.1 percent to come from renewables.

Rep. Vitali said his legislation has another benefit – it would create good, green jobs during a time when unemployment in Pennsylvania remains high.

2/18/2013