A bipartisan group of legislators and Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future this week urged action on Special Session Energy legislation to encourage renewable fuels, deal with the transition to market-based electric rates, install smart electric meters and encourage energy conservation.

“Too little has been done on energy policy in 2007, and our energy problems are getting more serious every month. Funding renewable energy, supporting biofuels, boosting energy conservation, and cutting peak electricity demands with smart meters have been discussed and debated since February,” said John Hanger, president and CEO of PennFuture.

“We now have 28 days left before the legislature is scheduled to leave for the holidays,” continued Hanger. “Will 2007 be a lost year of no action? Or will it be known as the year the leaders of Pennsylvania passed key energy legislation that protects our economy, environment and security?

Legislators at the press conference included:

Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware) appeared at the request of Rep. Michael Gerber (D-Montgomery), who introduced the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative (House Bill 1202), already passed in the House, which would require a growing percentage of our transportation fuels – gasoline and diesel fuel – to be made from homegrown renewable energy sources like soybeans and agricultural waste.

Rep. Carole Rubley (R-Chester, Montgomery), appearing at the request of Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester), who is prime sponsor of legislation (Special Session House Bill 31) to require that energy conservation programs be created in all parts of Pennsylvania so that electricity demand does not continue to increase every year but is stabilized at current levels.

Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Northampton), sponsor of the bill (House Bill 2017 in the regular session and Special Session House Bill 38-- neither bill text is available online) helping consumers to save money by insuring that smart electric meters are installed for all electricity customers, so that all consumers can be paid for cutting energy demand during the times when electricity is most needed and most expensive.

Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York), whose legislation (Special Session House Bill 1) will ensure adequate funding to provide incentives for job-creating renewable energy development and money-saving energy efficiency investments to compete with surrounding states.

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) urged action on the Energy Independence bills to help combat global climate change. House Bill 110, sponsored by Rep. Vitali on climate change, passed the House last month and the Senate is considering a companion bill—Senate Bill 266—on climate change sponsored by Sen. Erickson (R-Delaware).

Rep. Camille (Bud) George (D – Clearfield), Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, also participated in the press conference, saying he would do everything in his power to move these bills forward.

Rep. Joseph Preston (D-Allegheny), Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, said he would work with both sides of the aisle to address this important issue that affects all Pennsylvanians.

Others attending the press conference include Representatives John Hornaman (D-Erie), Chris King (D-Bucks), and Mike Vereb (R- Montgomery).

11/16/2007