The Pennsylvania Environmental Council strongly supports House Bill 2200 (Rep. George), which provides cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy use and demand - saving Pennsylvanians money and reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases.
Last year PEC released its Climate Change Roadmap Report for Pennsylvania, identifying that our state alone releases approximately 1% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Production and usage of electricity accounts for the largest share of our state's carbon footprint, placing the Commonwealth among the top 25 emitting nations in the world. In its series of policy recommendations for reducing emissions in Pennsylvania the Roadmap identified demand-side management and energy efficiency measures as two of the most immediate and effective opportunities to reduce consumption and associated emissions. This perceptive was readily supported by representatives of environmental, consumer advocate, energy, and labor interests in the hearing held by the House Consumer Affairs Committee last week.
With the rising cost of electricity, concerns about energy supply and reliability, and the societal and environmental impacts associated with energy generation, the programs offered by House Bill 2200 to reduce use and demand will save consumers money and provide a clear win-win for Pennsylvania. PEC urges members of the House of Representatives to support this important legislation.