On January 19, 2010 the Penn Future advocacy organization sponsored a breakfast forum to discuss Clean Energy and Green Jobs Legislation. The forum hosted attendees with representation ranging from healthy air; energy providers and farming through clean water and ethical mining.
The meeting was held at the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. Penn Future President and CEO Janet Jarrett moderated the gathering. She asserted Governor Rendell’s support of this initiative and shared the organization’s passion and objectives as an effective advocacy and enforcement group for Pennsylvania’s environment, energy and economic future. She emphasized support of the Clean Energy and Green Jobs Bill (currently House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92), as two important aspects of bipartisan legislation to bolster Pennsylvania’s leadership in renewable energy production, encouraging investment, and creating many green jobs. The forum’s presenters included PA State Representative, Eugene DePasquale, John Hanger, Secretary PA Department of Environmental Protection, Richard Madeira, Vice President Enginuity Energy, and Doug Neidich, CEO, Green Works Development.
Supporters of Penn Future and the “Clean Energy Green Jobs Legislation” contend that passage of the bills will:
• Extend the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) act to 2024. This will bolster PA’s competitive position and send signals for new investment
• By 2024 increase the amount of solar power sold in PA from 0.5% to 3.0%. This increase would service approximately 438,000 homes.
• Multiply the amount of electricity sold in PA from Tier I clean energy sources by 2024. Such as wind energy from 8% of electricity in the current statute to 15%.
• By 2024 PA could generate clean energy to service 2.1 million homes.
PA State Representative Eugene DePasquale supports House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92. He reminded attendees that Governor Rendell champions these bills and it is incumbent that all Pennsylvanians support PA’s future for clean energy and green jobs legislation. He pointed to vast growth advantages for PA industries, new jobs, partnering business opportunities, and investing and building independent energy sources. He conveyed that he will rally additional support and present the matter in the house of representative during the early spring (February or March) of 2010. He urged attendees to put pressure on their representative to support the bills.
John Hanger, Secretary, PA Department of Environmental Protection addressed the group and emphasized the future benefits of joining the clean energy movement. He spoke to the necessity of House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92, as important to help insure PA’s future energy utilities and other emerging markets in clean energy products and jobs. The Secretary shared that PA’s current renewable energy electricity requirement was passed in 2004 and is currently near the lowest in the nation. Much has happened in six years since the law was passed. Most other states, including surrounding states such as Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, and New York have much higher renewable energy standards. He recounted targeted clean energy initiatives ongoing in other countries like China and acknowledged that the world is moving toward clean energy products. The Secretary described planning for anticipated alternative stimulus funding for energy projects.
He sited means for accomplishment through public and private partnerships. Incentives will include low interest loans for partnerships. The foundation of clean energy is important for PA. Secretary Hanger said that Governor Rendell recognizes this effort as an opportunity for jobs and the success of the plan rest on public-private partnerships. He informed the attendees that PA will loose its position with solar technology if House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92 are not achieved. PA currently has a 3% solar requirement as an alternative energy source. He said that we need the funding to support jobs in this industry. Secretary Hanger encouraged the attendees to support the bills by writing their local news paper, e-mail, call, and visiting their local representative. To remain competitive the Secretary said that House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92 must be passed. He believes that thousands of jobs across PA in the wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass industries are at stake.
Richard Madeira, Vise President, Enginuity Energy told the group about his company’s positive experience with bio-mass projects. He shared the success of clean steam as source of power, as well as agricultural byproducts or chicken litter as a fuel source. While agriculture is the leading industry in PA, these ideas correlate. He discussed goals for constructing industrial plants to manufacture chicken litter energy. He outlined this process as an expanded source for energy, as well as creating jobs. He described how the construction of these plants would require no less than 125 jobs in the construction faze and 25 jobs to operate the plants after construction.
Doug Neidich, CEO, Green Works Development shared his experience constructing “Bright Green Buildings” and his objective vision to transform blighted urban areas into revitalized areas to live and work. He spoke to his success with integrated community development being achieved at brownfield sites. He called attention to a current project in the mid-town district of Harrisburg, which he described as an integrated footprint being put in place. The social redevelopment project is 1 million square feet. Special wells in excess of 400 feet deep and rooftop solar systems are utilized. He described his organization as a “social engineering company”. He emphasize that “the best way to affect something is to change something”. He encouraged House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92.
By Burnell Smith, Empowered Municipality Tranportation reporter and News Analyst
