HARRISBURG, Pa., June 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell tonight praised the House of Representatives for overwhelmingly approving two major components of his Energy Independence Strategy.
The chamber voted to approve two measures tonight. House Bill 1202, which provides for cleaner fuels and makes Pennsylvania less reliant on foreign oil, passed on a vote of 138-60, while House Bill 1200 was approved by a margin of 129-69. HB 1200 paves the way new economic development opportunities in the rapidly growing clean and renewable energy technology development industry.
"Pennsylvania took a major step towards energy independence tonight," said Governor Rendell. "After rigorous debate, members of both parties came together to support our plan for strengthening Pennsylvania's economy and environment. The fact that these bills passed by with more than two-thirds of the vote illustrates a strong level of bipartisan support, and a recognition that we must do more to protect our state's energy future and create new opportunities for our men and women."
"I applaud the House's work to approve these bills," added the Governor.
House Bill 1200 expands the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority to encourage new investments in the state's growing renewable energy development and deployment fields. The authority will target grants, loans and tax credits to alternative energy manufacturers and energy-efficient companies to promote research in the field and attract new jobs to the state.
PEDA is an independent financing authority established to help finance clean energy projects in Pennsylvania. Governor Rendell brought the board back to life in March 2005 after years of inactivity to help create new economic opportunities for Pennsylvania. Since that time, PEDA has awarded $21 million in grants and loans for 57 clean energy projects that are leveraging another $240 million in private investment. The projects will create 975 permanent and construction jobs.
House Bill 1202 mandates new standards for clean burning fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, and by increasing demand for these products, will help create new opportunities for the state's farmers. The bill requires that gasoline be blended with 10 percent ethanol and that diesel fuel eventually include 20 percent biodiesel once in-state production reaches certain levels.
"Each year, Pennsylvania sends $30 billion overseas to produce liquid fuels," said Governor Rendell. "HB 1202 will reduce our dependence on these forms of energy that are often from unstable or unfriendly nations by ensuring that more of that money stays here at home to produce cleaner burning fuels from the crops our farmers grow."
The Governor urged the House to continue work on the two remaining bills of the strategy-House bills 1201 and 1203.
"We made great progress tonight, but more needs to be done," said Governor Rendell. "Pennsylvania needs the two remaining pieces of legislation to protect its families and businesses statewide from facing hyper-volatile electricity rates and further support our work to expand the consumption of power from clean and renewable sources. I urge the representatives that showed leadership on this issue tonight to continue fighting for these bills and bring them to a vote soon, and urge the state Senate to act on the four similar bills in that chamber before they adjourn for the summer."
The Governor's Energy Independence Strategy is designed to save consumers $10 billion in energy costs over the next decade, increase Pennsylvania's alternative and renewable energy production capacity, reduce the state's dependence on foreign fuels, and create more jobs.
For more information on the Energy Independence Strategy, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.
CONTACT:
Barry Ciccocioppo
717-783-1116
Michael Smith (DEP)
717-787-1323
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo, +1-717-783-1116, or Michael Smith (DEP), +1-
717-787-1323
Web site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/
