The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware), held the first in a series of informational meetings this week to gather information for the development of short- and long-term energy policies for Pennsylvania.

"It is no secret that energy prices are continuing to rise and available energy supplies will be stretched to their limits. We are hearing every day about the estimated rises in the cost of a gallon of heating oil or the price of a thousand cubic feet of natural gas," said Adolph. "We have two very clear choices. We can stand by or we can move forward, together, to develop a plan to address our state's energy supply and demand issues while at the same time continuing our ongoing commitment to a healthy economy, and a clean, safe environment."

In his introduction, Democratic Committee Chair Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) said we need to bring some compassion into this issue because many low-income people face a difficult winter with heating costs rising dramatically.

The hearing focused on the projected outlook for energy supplies nationwide and what other states around the country are doing in terms of energy strategies.

Three witnesses came before the Committee: Ellen Lutz, regional director of the Philadelphia Support Office of the U.S. Department of Energy; Scott Miller, executive director of state government policy for PJM Interconnection System; and Kate Burke, energy policy specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. household will pay an average of $260 more for heating this winter, mostly due to already tight supplies and the effects of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. Natural gas heating bills will rise by between 32 percent and 61 percent, electricity costs will rise by less than 4 percent, heating oil will increase by more than 30 percent, and propane expenditures will rise by 20 percent to 36 percent this winter.

"Pennsylvania must take a hard look at how we use energy, the opportunities for conservation, and the types of resources that this state is blessed with to create both short- and long-term energy policies," said Adolph.

The goal of the committee is to create a plan that will ensure a secure, reliable and affordable energy supply for the Commonwealth.

Another meeting on this topic is being scheduled for November 1 dealing with energy efficiency and renewable energy issues.

NewsClips: State May Develop Energy Plan

Lawmakers Devote Energy to State’s Long-Term Future

10/21/2005