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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, US, 2004-04-14 (Refocus Weekly) The governor of Pennsylvania has signed an executive order as part of his commitment to make his state a ‘national leader’ in advanced energy technology.
Governor Edward Rendell has revitalized the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority to provide financing for a wide range of energy research and demonstration projects that will promote indigenous energy resources in the state. In his budget speech in February, he proposed a target of generating up to 20% of the state’s electricity from alternative sources within a few years.
“America and Pennsylvania have become far too reliant on outside sources of energy,” he says. “Pennsylvania once was, and could be again, an abundant producer of energy of all sorts.”
“Pennsylvania exports more than US$20 billion a year to import energy fuels,” he explains. “Keeping energy dollars in state not only will help to create the jobs we critically need, but it also will promote energy sources that are proven to improve air quality, preserve land, protect local watersheds and enhance energy security.”
Technologies will include wind turbines, solar energy, small-scale hydro, hydrogen fuel cells, as well as coal gasification and waste coal and landfill methane. PEDA was formed 20 years ago, but was phased out ten years ago.
The revived agency will have the ability to float $300 million in bonds to help companies generate electricity from new technologies. Additional money could come from the Department of Community & Economic Development and a new $800 million ‘Growing Greener’ environmental program under review by the state legislature.
Rendell says Pennsylvania has doubled the amount of green power in the state, and he has directed agencies to increase their efforts to meet the 20% target. A new ‘Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard’ will ensure that 10% of all power comes from clean and efficient sources within ten years.
“Deployment of alternative fuels is an economic and environmental win for Pennsylvania,” says McGinty. “Fostering the development of alternative energy sources not only helps to cut pollution and improve environmental quality, but it also gives Pennsylvania a commanding edge in the renewable energy market, allowing for more opportunities in technology development and job creation.”
Rendell met informally with private sector officials to discuss the direction of PEDA. Any bond projects will be handled by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority.
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