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Rep. Ross (R-Chester) hailed the signing of the Alternative Energy Bill, Senate Bill 1030 (Erickson-R-Delaware), by Gov. Rendell this week. The act mandates that 18 percent of energy sold by electric energy suppliers in Pennsylvania will be from alternative energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and cogeneration.

"The Alternative Energy Act is the right and reasonable direction for Pennsylvania to take as we look to create a sustainable and clean future for generations to come," said Ross. "By harnessing alternative energies we take a big step toward a greener future for Pennsylvania."

Senate Bill 1030, sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Chester/Delaware), was companion legislation to the bill Ross introduced in the House (House Bill 2250) in December 2003.

"Senator Erickson and I worked hard to establish a consensus between utilities, consumers, conservation groups, and state agencies," Ross said. "The goal we achieved is a balance between cleaner energy sources and low energy costs.

"We must keep energy prices low for this program to maintain long-term success. Pennsylvania energy costs must remain competitive for our business community as well as for our residents. Nevada residents actually pay less now for electricity since that state implemented an alternative energy policy."

Ross notes the Alternative Energy Act will create more jobs in Pennsylvania. According to a report by Black & Veatch, a global engineering, consulting and construction company; the shift to alternative energy sources could create 85,000 net new jobs during the first 20 years of the act.

The act is also good for business as earnings are projected to increase by approximately $2.8 billion according to the same report.

"In addition to the greener benefits of Senate Bill 1030, the act will establish stability in the energy market since not all the eggs will be in one basket," said Ross. "If the prices of a certain energy source spike, there will be enough cushion in the diversified energy grid to maintain stable prices overall."

The Alternative Energy Act was designed to gradually adapt the new sources into the current electric infrastructure. The act establishes a graduated timeframe for integrating energy sources from both tiers.

The act provides for the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to establish an alternative energy tradable credits program as needed to implement the program.

The program will create a process for qualifying alternative energy systems, and determining the how credits can be created, accounted for, transferred and retired.

Seventeen states including, New York, Texas, New Jersey, and Maryland are already using alternative energy standards successfully to save taxpayer funds and create cleaner environments. Texas has surpassed the mandated levels for wind power, while New York requires 24 percent of available electric energy to be from alternative sources.

NewsClip: Some Residents Catching the Breeze

Residents Running on “Remooable” Energy

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12/3/2004