The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation on energy efficiency, hybrid vehicles and mercury. The bills include:

· House Bill 543 (Watson-R-Bucks) establishing an energy-efficient home assistance program in the PA Housing Fnance Agency;

· House Resolution 106 (Cohen-D-Philadelphia) urging automakers to develop plug-in hybrid, electric vehicles; and

· House Resolution 136 (Josephs-D-Philadelphia) urging the President and Congress to ban exportation of elemental mercury.

The Committee has also scheduled a May 30 hearing in York to hear testimony on the Governor’s Energy Independence Initiative and House Bill 1200 (DePasquale-D-York). (See separate story)

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

5/25/2007