Solar States Blog

This month, the Pennsylvania House is scheduled to vote on House Bill 80, a controversial alternative energy measure that would expand Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Performance Standards. When the House first produced a bill bringing AEP standards to Pennsylvania in 2004, our state became a leader in alternative energy measures and reversing the effects of climate change. By enforcing diversification of the energy portfolio, Pennsylvania saw the small business sector emboldened, new jobs created and new solar facilities coming on line on both sides of the state.

But now, as Pennsylvania’s unemployment rates hit a 17-year high in October, the House is dragging their feet on bringing this pivotal expansion to a vote. Just like in 2004, alternative energy standards ensure that our state not only keeps pace with the nation in terms of phasing out our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, it ensures that we remain a leader in this field. But more importantly, these expansions would create thousands of green jobs and would continue the competitive rise of alternative energy startups in Pennsylvania. These entrepreneurs are the future of Pennsylvania energy and the key to reversing the tide of record unemployment.

Not only can you get steaming mad about our state government’s lackadaisical attitude toward this bill, you can do something about it. Visit PennFuture and let your representative know how you feel. It’s time to bring Pennsylvania back to a leadership position on climate change, new green jobs and alternative energy entrepreneurship.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 10:56 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.