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For Immediate Release
September 16, 2008
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White: Committee Approves Creation of State Energy Office
Office will implement PA Climate
Change Act, under committee oversight.
Harrisburg – The Senate Special Session Committee on Energy Policies today
approved legislation establishing a State Energy Office to promote energy
development and conservation, according to state Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21), who
chairs the committee.
The office would be created within the state Department of Environmental
Protection.
"I commend Representative Bud George for his leadership and sponsorship of
this legislation," said White "Energy is perhaps the most critical issue facing
the commonwealth and this office and advisory committee will help Pennsylvania
meet this challenge."
The panel approved two amendments to
Special Session House Bill 36: one creating an Energy Advisory Committee,
with members appointed by the governor and legislature, and one giving the State
Energy Office the responsibility of implementing the Pennsylvania Climate Change
Act. The Act, sponsored by Senator Ted Erickson (R-26) and signed into law in
July, created a Climate Change Advisory Committee to advise the state on climate
change issues and identify green economic opportunities in Pennsylvania.
"The amendment also reinforces the commitment from DEP that, as the Climate
Change Advisory Committee examines the issue and makes recommendations to state
government, any proposal to implement caps on greenhouse gas emissions will be
done through legislation," said White. "This is particularly critical given the
growing concerns over higher electric costs in the commonwealth and the need to
ensure that as we address this issue, we do not unnecessarily increase the
burden on Pennsylvania consumers or businesses."
More information is available at Senator White's website,
www.senatormjwhite.com,
under "Special Session on Energy."
Contact:
Pat
Henderson
(717) 787-9684
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