Pennsylvania Energy Conservation Bill
HB 2200
Pennsylvania is considering a landmark energy conservation bill. HB 2200, which was passed by the state House of Representatives, would help Pennsylvanians cut energy use and save money by funding energy efficiency projects across the state, in homes and businesses.
This bill follows two important climate and energy bills passed this summer. The Pennsylvania Climate Change Act was the first global warming legislation in the state. The bill requires the state to report on the impact of climate changes in Pennsylvania and requires an annual inventory of all global warming pollution. The other was a $650 million energy fund to go to grants and loans for solar installation, deployment and manufacturing of other clean energy technologies, and energy efficiency.
Passing HB220 would be another step toward addressing climate change in Pennsylvania; however, the senate version could include weakening amendments. The Senate Consumer Protection and Licensure Committee made amendments to the bill that substantially weaken it. The changes put more burdens on consumers, put energy savings programs in the hands of utilities, and, at the same time, create disincentives for the utilities to run effective programs. Electric utilities earn more money by selling more electricity, not less. Giving the programs to the utilities to run only creates incentives for failure of the conservation programs to achieve the demand reduction goals.
The senate will need to pass a bill similar to the House version, which would create thousands of good, family sustaining jobs in the energy conservation field while also helping Pennsylvania become more energy independent—a win for both the environment and the economy.
