Energy Testimony

Dear Representative:
On behalf of PennEnvironment’s citizen members, I am writing to urge you to support Special Session House Bill 1 (SHB 1), which could come up for a final House floor vote as soon as today. This legislation is essential to helping the Commonwealth promote clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

We know that clean energy solutions are critical to securing our energy future and protecting our environment and economy.  By cutting our energy use through energy efficiency, and by shifting to clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, we cut our demand on coal-fired power plants, in turn leading to less air pollution and global warming emissions.  The need to cut such emissions is clear—Pennsylvania creates more global warming pollution than every state besides Texas and California.

But for decades, the vast majority of state and federal dollars spent on energy projects have gone to the same polluting, finite and inefficient energy sources that have created our current energy problems.  If Pennsylvania continues down this path—in addition to the ongoing environmental problems—we will miss out on new jobs and investment opportunities that will instead be directed towards states that are placing a higher priority on investing in clean energy solutions. 

SHB 1 would help to correct this problem, by providing a significant boost in funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Pennsylvania.  Specifically, SHB 1 provides $200 million for solar power, $69 million for energy efficiency and green buildings, and $30 million for wind power.  This funding boost for clean energy solutions will help protect Pennsylvania’s environment, while also bringing green jobs to the Commonwealth.

There are other sections of SHB 1, however, which PennEnvironment urges lawmakers to amend as the proposal moves forward through the legislative process.  Specifically, in order to prevent state resources from being spent on polluting—and often more expensive—energy sources, PennEnvironment urges lawmakers to refine the definition of which “alternative energy projects” are eligible for funding so that only clean, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency can receive funding.  We also urge lawmakers to remove the language added on second consideration which gives $25 million to coal-fired power plants to help them comply with existing clean air laws.    

In order to protect Pennsylvania’s environment and advance our clean energy economy, PennEnvironment urges members to support SHB 1 when it is brought up for a vote.  Please feel free to contact me with questions at 215-732-5897 or at NWillcox@PennEnvironment.org.  

Sincerely, 

Nathan Willcox
Energy & Clean Air Advocate
PennEnvironment