Rep. Brooks

To help further the efforts of private industry to invest in the bioenergy field, Rep. Michele Brooks (R-Lawrence) is sponsoring Special Session House Bill 55 to encourage the planting of switchgrass and other bioenergy crops on reclaimed mine lands through tax credits.

“Reclaimed mine lands can have multiple purposes, and what better way to help with our expanding energy needs than by planting switchgrass and other bioenergy crops,” Rep. Brooks said. “Consumers cannot afford to continue paying ever-increasing prices for energy. There needs to be affordable alternatives, and this legislation will help expand Pennsylvania’s alternative energy portfolio to allow that to happen.”

Specifically, her proposal would apply to all lands affected by surface mining activities, not just to re-mined lands.

The legislation would authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to use funds from the $7 million that was appropriated in 2001 in order to facilitate the implementation of the full-cost bonding program and to provide guarantees to cover stage three reclamation liabilities on areas replanted with switchgrass or other bioenergy crops.

“If we are to encourage greater use and production of bio-fuels, we must first have an available and sustainable feedstock,” Rep. Brooks added. “This legislation seeks to encourage the development of this feedstock, while addressing an important environmental issue -- that of remediating our surface mine lands. I believe this is a diversified, solid strategy that helps protect our land while also addressing future energy needs.”

2/15/2008