New Budget Makes Major New Investments in Environment, Energy, Pennsylvania
Governor Rendell Says
Advances Renewable Energy, Governor Says Work Must Continue on Energy
Conservation, Electricity Rate Mitigation
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell said today that issues critical to continuing the commonwealth's
economic progress and protecting its citizens will be addressed as part of the
state's 2008-09 budget.
The Governor said new state resources will promote clean and renewable
energy alternatives; measures that will improve the quality of life for all
Pennsylvanians and build on the economic gains of the past five years.
"These new energy programs will save Pennsylvanians money and put our
state in the forefront of the fast-growing alternative energy economy, which
will result in thousands of new jobs," the Governor said.
"This is a first step in addressing these issues. We're making an
unprecedented investment to spur development of advanced energy resources that
will offer new options to consumers at a time when gasoline, diesel fuel,
electricity and natural gas prices are going through the roof."
The Governor added that he intends to sign bills addressing these issues
in the following days. In total, these measures will invest $665.9 million in
alternative energy, of which $237.5 million will go to consumers to lower
their energy costs and help them join the new energy economy, and $428.4
million will go to create jobs and expand the alternative energy sector in
Pennsylvania.
This will occur in the following ways:
-- Invest $650 million in alternative and renewable energy deployment,
conservation and efficiency, and innovative research and development.
Special Session House Bill 1 will include:
- $180 million for solar energy;
- $165 million to encourage alternative energy projects;
- $25 million for green buildings;
- $25 million to for pollution control;
- $40 million for emergency energy assistance;
- $40 million to support early stage activities; and
- $25 million for wind and geothermal.
- Another $150 million will be available over seven years to help
consumers and small businesses weatherize their homes and adopt
conservation tools and offer tax credits to businesses developing and
building alternative energy projects in the commonwealth.
-- Increase the use of biofuels in retail gasoline and diesel fuel. House
Bill 1202 will require that every gallon of diesel fuel use an
increasing percentage of biodiesel as in-state production levels
increase and reach defined thresholds. Additionally, gasoline must
include at least 10 percent cellulosic ethanol once production reaches
350 million gallons annually. New investments will also be made in
Pennsylvania's biofuel producers; up to $5.3 million will be available
annually through June 2011 to encourage the production of ethanol and
biodiesel.
-- Invest up to $1.2 billion in the state's water and wastewater
facilities, dams and flood control projects. Senate Bill 2 will provide
$800 million over 10 years to address the funding needs for critical
water, sewer and stormwater projects, as well as flood control and high
hazard dam repairs in areas outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Voters will also have the opportunity to expand the amount of resources
available for water and wastewater projects under a bond referendum
provided for in Senate Bill 1341. If approved, SB 1341 would allow the
commonwealth to borrow an additional $400 million to support these
infrastructure components.
Despite these positives steps, Governor Rendell stressed that action must
be taken to address rising energy costs.
"Making alternative and clean, renewable energy resources more readily
available is an important step, but we cannot lose sight of the need to
conserve energy and improve Pennsylvania's flawed public policy when it comes
to electricity," Governor Rendell said. "Families are losing their homes and
businesses are closing their doors because of rising energy costs. Gasoline
and diesel fuel are at $4- and $5-per-gallon, respectively, and the cost of
natural gas has more than doubled in the past year alone.
"We need to ensure our citizens and businesses have choices, are protected
from the volatility of the open market, and have the tools they need to
conserve energy to cut costs. I'm committed to working with the legislature
throughout the summer to reach agreement on improvements to our current energy
policy so that rather than shelling out billions of dollars more in higher
electricity bills, we can help consumers save billions of dollars over the
next decade."
Graphics, budget highlights and additional details about the 2008-09 state
budget are online at www.budget.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 www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Chuck Ardo of Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116
