PennEnvironment applauds the U.S. House of Representatives
for passing a 21st Century energy bill that will harness American
ingenuity and put us on a path to cleaner, smarter new energy future in
Pennsylvania. This bill is a breakthrough on energy policy and will lead
to more clean energy, lowered energy demand, and reduced dependence on oil in Pennsylvania and across
the U.S..
We applaud the Pennsylvania
members of Congress who voted for this important legislation: U.S.
Representatives Altmire, Brady, Carney, Doyle, Fattah, Gerlach, Holden,
Kanjorski, Patrick Murphy, Murtha, Schwartz and Sestak. The bill also makes a
significant down payment on achieving needed cuts in global warming
pollution. We were thus especially disappointed to see the remaining
members of Congress from Pennsylvania
vote against this critical step toward a new energy future.
The Senate and President Bush should act quickly to pass
this legislation and deliver a bright green holiday for the country.
Highlights of the bill include:
Clean Energy: The bill follows the lead of Pennsylvania and 24
other states by establishing a national renewable electricity standard,
requiring utilities to produce 15% of their electricity from renewable energy
sources and energy efficiency by 2020. The bill also extends renewable
energy production and investment tax credits. A national renewable
electricity standard will substantially reduce global warming pollution while
sparking a clean energy boom across the U.S. In Pennsylvania, a recent analysis
by PennEnvironment showed the national renewable electricity standard will save
Pennsylvanians $1 billion on their utility bills, cut global warming pollution
by the equivalent of half a million cars, and create more than 40,000 jobs
across the Commonwealth. In fact, Pennsylvania
is already benefitting from renewable energy development with Gamesa’s U.S.
headquarters in Philadelphia and manufacturing plants in Bucks County and
Johnstown.
Reduced U.S. Dependence on Oil: By
increasing gas mileage standards for cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020,
this bill would enact the first meaningful increase in gas mileage standards in
more than 15 years. .These standards would cut Pennsylvania’s oil use by 44,000 million
barrels a day and save residents nearly $1 billion in gas costs in 2020.
With oil prices continuing to set new records above $80 a barrel,
Pennsylvanians want new standards and more efficient vehicles now.
Energy Savings: The House legislation would
help Pennsylvanians save energy in their homes and businesses, through
appliance and lighting efficiency standards, tax incentives, and building
codes.
