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December 20, 2011, 11:46 am
PennFuture this morning announced the release of a report on Act 129 of 2008, which provided for reductions in energy consumption. Courtney Lane, senior energy policy analyst for PennFuture, stated the report found that “The energy savings law is an unqualified success.” She reviewed the economic and environmental benefits of decreased energy consumption and pointed out that every dollar spent on Act 129 has yielded $8 in savings.
Look for the complete story and a link to the full report in the “Around the Capital” section of the Capitol Toolbox early this afternoon.
August 22, 2011, 12:35 pm
The House Republican Policy Committee held a public hearing this morning to discuss current energy policies, specifically AEPS and Act 129 of 2008, and their impact on the economy. Testifiers from various energy companies offered their perspective on the policies and recommendations for improvements.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.
September 21, 2010, 12:34 pm
DEP Secretary John Hanger testified before the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee in favor of an amendment to HB 1128, which is still being drafted. The amendment, said Secretary Hanger, would cap costs of peak power prices and create jobs. Chairman Bob Tomlinson informed committee members that even though the amendment isn’t yet in print, he would still like to discuss its contents and hear from Secretary Hanger. Many other members offered comments and asked Secretary Hanger questions, but the bill was passed over at this morning’s meeting. Chairman Tomlinson announced the committee will either meet off the Floor later today or tomorrow to vote on HB 1128. Moving on, the committee then reported out HB 1764, HB 2212 and HB 2041. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
June 8, 2010, 11:41 am
This morning the House ERE Committee reported HB 2405 as amended by a vote of 17-9. All votes on amendments and the final reporting of the bill as amended were not unanimous. The bill is the “new HB 80″ and prime sponsor Eugene DePasquale (D-York) said there have been tweaks made to allow for flexibility. There have been other changes made to reflect members’ concerns, as well, he explained. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
February 3, 2010, 2:05 pm
A report detailing the projected benefits of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) was released by Ryan Pletka, Black & Veatch’s project manager for global engineering. According to the report if HB 80 or SB 92 is signed into law the Commonwealth will see an overall reduction in energy prices along with an increase in jobs related to alternative energy through 2026. Check Capitol Toolbox later for full story.
January 20, 2010, 3:40 pm
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing this afternoon on HB 1909, which would establish a Commonwealth Energy Advocate. Among its various duties, the new office would represent Pennsylvania’s retail electric customers before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and regional transmission organization PJM Interconnection to ensure reasonable rates in the face of ongoing electricity deregulation in the state. Among those testifying in support of the measure were Consumer Advocate Sonny Popowsky and PUC Chairman Ty Christy. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
June 8, 2009, 12:12 pm
Members of the Joint Legislative Conservation Committee attended an Environmental Issues Forum hosted by American Geo-Energy Solutions (AGES), a Pennsylvania based renewable energy company. The panel consisted of the President, CEO, and Chairman for AGES, who explained to the audience and members of the committee, the environmental and economic advantages of using underground mine water as renewable energy sources. The Chairman of AGES, Stephen Krentzman called the treatment and use of polluted mine water sources as a renewable energy “turning lemons into lemonade.” Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
May 4, 2009, 2:30 pm
Members of the House and Senate joined education advocates today at a press conference in the Media Center of the Capitol Building today to oppose Senate Bill 850. During the press conference Tim Allwein of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association said the bill will “walk away from bipartisan efforts,” to find funding for school districts without significantly raising property taxes. Education advocates and lawmakers alike are concerned the proposed budget will force school officials to cut needed school programs and services as well as increase already high property taxes. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
March 4, 2009, 5:11 pm
Majority Leader Todd Eachus, along with Speaker Keith McCall, Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans, and other members of House Democratic leadership commented this afternoon on the results of a day-long caucus retreat spent at Harrisburg University, and offered their thoughts on the House Democratic policy agenda for the spring. Beyond the obvious necessity of negotiating the budget, Rep. Eachus reported other priorities of the caucus include job creation, improving access to healthcare, and investing in transportation and energy projects. He also advised the caucus is still working to achieve a consensus related to video poker legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
October 8, 2008, 8:11 pm
A bittersweet Governor Rendell reviewed the week’s work of the general assembly this evening, identifying a number of successes and two glaring disappointments. While he praised the House and Senate for passing a comprehensive energy bill, improvements to the state’s Dog Law, mandatory minimum sentencing for shooting in the direction of a police officer, and banning mandatory overtime for select healthcare workers, he criticized Senate Republicans for not passing compromise healthcare legislation, and blamed “unrealistic” utility companies for not agreeing to rate cap mitigation provisions.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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