Here’s a quick rundown on several energy related activities and announcements this week, including Gov. Rendell’s appearance at the National Press Club to talk about a national Energy Harvest Program.

Gov. Rendell spoke at the National Press Club this week calling on President Bush to follow Pennsylvania’s example and develop an “American Energy Harvest” model to reduce U.S. reliance on Middle East energy. Text of speech.

NewsClip: Rendell Launches Energy Crusade

Rendell Pleads with Bush to Develop Alternative Fuels

Rendell Urges Energy Harvest

A new Stay Warm PA toll-free telephone number-- 866-550-4355-- was announced that citizens can use to get information about restoring utility services, paying their heating bills, fixing residential heating systems and locating available shelters in their area. People may also use the special number to learn what they can do to help their neighbors get through the winter. Gov. Rendell also announced a Spanish language version of the Stay Warm PA website that will provide energy and heating aid information.

Gov. Rendell announced a new initiative to bring together customers for alternative and renewable energy resources with potential suppliers in a new bundling of state energy initiatives called EDGE – Energy Deployment for a Growing Economy.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week approved a plan by UGI to double the size of its Low Income Self- Help Program– from 4,000 to 8,000 participants. Customers who successfully pay their LISHP bills on time also earn forgiveness of their arrearages. The plan increases the maximum discount under the program from $840 to $1,146 for residential heating customers and $560 to $614 for non-residential customers.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission also approved proposals submitted by seven electric and natural gas companies to transfer nearly $15 million in unspent utility consumer-education funds to help low-income families in their service territories this winter using Universal Service Programs.

The proposals were submitted by Allegheny Power, Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, PG Energy, PPL Electric Utilities Corp., PPL Gas Utilities Corp., and T.W. Phillips Gas and Oil Company to transfer most of the funding to their Universal Service Programs such as Customer Assistance Programs or Low-Income Usage Reduction Programs. However, $100,000 will be provided in the form of a grant to a community-based organization, $1 Energy Fund, per the proposal provided by Allegheny Power.

12/2/2005