The Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance this week recommended the General Assembly and the Rendell Administration give a much higher priority to programs that promote energy efficiency and conservation in homes and businesses in the debate over energy policies for the Commonwealth.

“We are here today to share our concern for the cost of home heating and cooling costs,” stated Helen Perrine, executive director of Affordable Comfort, Inc. and a leader of the KEEA group. “We believe that it’s possible to be very bold and instead of saving our homeowners five, or ten or 15 dollars a year on energy bills, that it’s possible to save 30 percent on your annual bill.”

Liz Robinson, Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia, told the press conference and in testimony before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in February 2006, “Pennsylvania is allocating almost 90 percent of all current funding to treat the symptoms of this problem: high bills, and only 11 percent in ways that can actually reduce the size of the problem.

“There simply is not enough money to span the affordability gap (in energy costs) with cash,” said Robinson. “In fact, the longer we try to do so, the more time and money we will waste.”

Energy costs are expected to go up by at least 6 percent a year, which Robinson said means over the next 20 years heating costs for low income families will increase to $8,000 a year if demand is not reduced.

Video Blog: Liz Robinson Outlines Key Parts of Keystone Proposal

KEEA, a new alliance of energy and environmental professionals, was formed to focus attention on the benefits of investing in efficient buildings, in part because buildings account for 30 percent of Pennsylvanian’s energy consumption.

The key elements of the Keystone Energy Action Agenda include:

· Research and planning on the best energy efficiency and renewable energy options;

· Statewide energy education program for all sectors;

· Support for Home Performance with EnergyStar and EnergyStar for Homes, including pilot programs such as the PA Home Energy program;

· State-wide low-interest loans for energy improvements, expanding on the Keystone Home Energy Loan program;

· Training of building science professionals and technicians;

· Community-wide goals for energy conservation;

· Technical assistance and incentives for commercial and industrial buildings owners; and

· Creation of an independent organization, Efficiency PA, under the PUC, to administer energy conservation programs.

Video Blog: Kathy Greely, PEC, Outlines Potential of Home Energy Savings.

Other Northeast states have adopted these and other aggressive energy policies, including requiring utilities to offer more education and assistance and promoting EnergyStar for Homes.

Pennsylvania utilities spend only 28 cents per capita on energy efficiency, while New Jersey spends $10.29 and New York spends $12.55. Investing in energy efficiency will create jobs in every community, and help Pennsylvania reach its goal to reduce consumption and costs and improve environmental impacts, particularly if it’s linked to renewable energy incentives, such as solar rebates, that are targeted directly to building owners.

Video Blog: Rep. Ross Proposes Energy Conservation Legislation.

Participants in the press conference included: Helen Perrine, ACI, Liz Robinson, Energy Coordinating Agency, Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester), Kathy Greely, PEC – Commonwealth Community Energy Program, Peg Finnegan, local homeowner, Peter Krajsa, AFC/Keystone Home Loan, Ben Adams, MaGrann Associates on EnergyStar for Homes, Ron Clentario, Clentano Energy Services, solar construction and Keven Warren, Warren Energy Engineering.

For more information, visit the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance website.

The presentations in their entirety can be seen on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. For a schedule, visit www.PCNTV.com .

Link: House Committee Told Conservation Most Cost Effective Help on Energy Problems

Session Schedule

The Senate and House will return to session October 22.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced

· Senate Committee Advances Alternative Energy Investment Act in Special Session

· Senate Committee OKs Waste, Detergent, Brownfields and Other Bills

· House Environmental Committee Approves Coal Miner’s Day Resolution

· Environmental Forum Features Climate Roadmap for PA, Energy Conservation

· Climate Action Plan Legislation Subject of Senate Committee Meeting

· House Committee to Consider Waste Fee, Green Building Legislation

Other News

· Northeast Environmental Partners Recognize Local Environmental Achievements

· Penn State Scientists Part of Nobel Peace Prize-Winning UN Climate Change Panel

· Audubon PA & Penn State Team Up for International Solar Home Competition

· DEP Announces $10 Million in Alternative Fuels Incentives Grants

· Energy Use-Reduction Grants, Workshops Sponsored by DEP

· PA Benefits From Sale of Environmentally Friendly Locomotives to Mexico

· Coca-Cola/NRC Recycling Bin Grant Program Applications Due October 26

· What Are You Doing for America Recycles Day? November 15

· Plastic Pesticide Recycling Program Reaches Million Pound Milestone

· PROP to Host 2008 National Recycling Conference, Reviews State Conference

· DEP Awards $5.5 Million in Recycling Performance Grants

· Metal Heat Treatment Company Saves $185,000 in Energy, Waste Costs

· EPA Honors 4 Philadelphia-Area Hospitals with Pollution Prevention Awards

· Nominations Being Accepted for the 2008 Karl Mason Award

· Application Deadline Extended for Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards

· EPA Proposes to Add Chem-Fab Site in PA to Superfund List

· Rural Water Association Now Offering Online Training

· Land Conservation Celebrated by DCNR, Conservancy, Adams County Officials

· Pennsylvania, Berks County Achieve Farmland Preservation Milestones

· Lackawanna Environmental Institute Presents Gary Alt October 25

· Game Commission 2008 Calendar on Sale Now

· Spaces Still Available for October 30 Outdoor Lighting Workshop

· Environmental Education Update Available From PA Center for Environmental Ed

· Help Wanted: Nature Conservancy, Small Business Development Centers

Spotlight

· Service Learning Initiative Wins Governor’s Environmental Award, You Can Too!

Feature

· Halloween Special – Season of the Bat – Online Video

Grants & Awards – NEW SECTION!

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

10/19/2007