Governor Rendell: New Study Shows Greater Clean Energy Use Will Create Jobs, Save Consumers Billions

Calls for Legislation to Increase Renewable Energy Use, Create Economic Opportunities in Every Corner of PA

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a time when the nation needs to create jobs and help families control costs, Governor Edward G. Rendell today said a new study shows that using more clean forms of energy is the solution to both challenges.

Released today, the study by global engineering and consulting firm Black and Veatch said increasing the renewable energy requirements of Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act could create the equivalent of 211,000 new jobs, or 130,000 more than if the state continued to rely on fossil fuels for that share of energy production.

In addition, Black and Veatch report that since there is no cost associated with the shining sun or the blowing wind, Pennsylvania's energy consumers could save as much as $4.6 billion by relying on those and other clean energy sources as opposed to the costs associated with purchasing coal or natural gas and maintaining the power plants that use those fuels.

"The economy is in the midst of a slow recovery, but the consensus is that it will take some time before people go back to work and we can really put a dent in lowering the unemployment rate," said Governor Rendell. "If we intensify our efforts to build a green economy, we can get people back to work sooner, attract billions of dollars in investment to the state, help families and businesses save money, and clean our environment.

"As this study clearly shows, shifting towards a clean, green economy is a win for our workforce and our economy on all fronts."  

In order to realize these gains, however, the Governor said that Pennsylvania must improve its Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard—originally enacted in 2004—to be more competitive with those of other states. The law requires at least 18.5 percent of the retail electricity sold in Pennsylvania to be generated by alternative and renewable resources by 2021.

Although it was one of the most ambitious plans of its type then, it has since been surpassed by other states.

"If we expect clean energy companies to come to Pennsylvania and bring with them hundreds of millions of dollars in new projects and thousands of new jobs, we have to compete with what other states are doing. Our neighbors and other states across the country have more aggressive standards than ours and now they're reaping the economic benefits. We cannot let Pennsylvania fall behind in this competition, that's why we must increase our portfolio standard law."

He noted that Maryland and New Jersey have adopted renewable energy requirements of 20 percent by 2022 and 22.5 percent by 2021, respectively.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said while the current AEPS law has helped bring some of the world's leading renewable energy companies to Pennsylvania, it's helping businesses of all sizes in every corner of the state.

"Our current energy requirements have already helped to attract major new energy and technology companies like Gamesa and Iberdrola, but other successful businesses already located in the state, like Voith Hydro in York County and Hodge Foundry in Mercer County are benefiting from these standards as well," said Hanger. "These companies are employing thousands of Pennsylvanians in wind, solar and other high-growth industries that will dominate energy in the 21st century."

Proposals now before the General Assembly—House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92—would increase the AEPS law's clean energy requirements from 8 percent to 15 percent from 2021 through 2026 and would require 3 percent of electricity to come from solar photovoltaic panels by 2026.

The bills would also require that 3 percent of energy purchased by electric distribution companies must come from coal-fired power plants that use the latest technology to reduce emissions and can connect to carbon sequestration facilities.  

To learn about Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click on the link under "DEP Programs A-Z."

Media contact: Gary Tuma, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor