Patrick Murphy Joined by Speaker Pelosi, Senator Casey and Secretary McGinty at KIPC to Highlight Renewable Energy for our Environmental and Economic Future

(Bristol, PA) – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) was joined by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty in calling for more green energy technology and job creation. At the event, which took place at the Keystone Industrial Port Complex in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, Pelosi, Casey, Murphy and McGinty praised the recently-passed energy package and the federal renewable energy standard. They highlighted how through continued state, local and federal partnerships, we can increase the amount of green energy technology and green energy jobs in Pennsylvania. By working together with business and labor and at all levels of government, we can develop renewable energy and build a stronger economy. According to some early projections, investing in renewable energy could create billions of dollars of economic activity in Pennsylvania, including tens of thousands of new jobs.

“By working together to encourage innovation we can develop renewable energy and a stronger economy,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “We need to invest in new technology so that we can wean ourselves off of Middle East oil. Landmark legislation and public-private partnerships like the ones we talked about today are exactly what it will take to protect our environment and create a more secure America.”

“Our nation needs a new energy plan that helps to invest in new technologies,” said Senator Bob Casey. “We need a renewable electricity standard that requires 15% of our power to come from renewable sources by the year 2020. Not only is it the right thing to do for the sake of our environment and for future generations, but it will also lead to economic security.”

“I am proud to stand here today with Congressman Patrick Murphy and Senator Bob Casey – two of our new direction Democrats who are working hard for energy independence,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “This is a national security issue, an environmental and health issue, an economic issue, and a moral issue. A new and green energy policy is the right thing to do. As you see right here at the Keystone Industrial Port Complex, it is also the smart thing to do.”

The KIPC – The Keystone Industrial Port Complex has become one of Pennsylvania’s premier examples of industrial revitalization. In 2005, approximately 1,300 acres of the KIPC was designated a Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone by the State of Pennsylvania. These important economic incentives and its strategic location on the Delaware River, the KIPC is extremely attractive to innovative businesses. Companies like Spanish windmill manufacturer Gamesa and solar material manufacturer AE Polysilicon have already moved into the KIPC and created hundreds of jobs.

A New Direction for Energy Independence – This ambitious piece of legislation will put us on a path toward energy independence, strengthen our national security, grow our economy and create new jobs. It will also lower energy prices for families and businesses and begin to address global warming.

• Creates an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program to train a quality workforce for good “green” jobs. A major national investment in renewable energy could create 3 million new-energy jobs.
• Encourages energy efficient homes by authorizing $2.4 billion in residential energy efficiency tax-credit bonds.
• Creates a tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles.
• Extends tax credits for renewable energy sources and for energy efficient commercial building.

The Renewable Energy Standard – Known as the Udall-Platts Amendment – requires electric suppliers, other than governmental entities and rural electric cooperatives, to provide at least some of their electricity from renewable sources. Through a gradually increasing scale, eventually going up to 15% annually by 2020, electric suppliers will have to provide more and more electricity through renewables. This standard will spur innovation and a cleaner environment. It will also create jobs, save consumers money and bolster rural economies.

• This standard will spur investment in homegrown energy resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. The Udall-Platts Amendment was passed on August 4, 2007 by a vote of 220–190.
• According to studies performed by the Renewable Energy Policy Project and the Union of Concerned Scientists – a renewable energy standard like this could yield millions of dollars in economic activity in Pennsylvania and create thousands of new jobs.
• The initial requirement for producing energy through renewables is in year 2010 at 2.75% of a utility’s electricity.
• The amendment’s definition of renewable energy includes the following: Cellulosic organic materials; wind; hydropower; solar power; gasified animal waste; landfill gas; crop-based liquid fuels; and others.
• The amendment gives credit for existing renewables. In addition, utilities get credit for all actions taken pursuant to a state portfolio standard associated with renewable electric generation.
• Adding efficiency by permitting utilities to meet up to 27% of their targeted requirement through energy efficiency savings (the equivalent of up to 4% of the 15% requirement).

For Immediate Release, October 1, 2007
Contact: Rep. Patrick Murphy’s Office, Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276
Sen. Bob Casey’s Office, Kendra Barkoff, (202) 224-6324
Speaker Pelosi’s Office, Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616N