PA Environment Digest Blog: House Committee Held 2nd Hearing On Governor’s Energy Plan To Diversify Energy Generation, Improve Grid Reliability, Lower Consumer Energy Costs

On July 29, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held its second hearing on House Bill 2277 (Otten-D-Chester), the PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) is the Governor’s Energy Plan that would diversify energy generation, improve grid reliability, lower consumer costs by avoiding energy price spikes and create energy-related jobs.

The agenda of witnesses included. [click on name for testimony]--

-- Leah Meredith, Mid-Atlantic Region, Solar Energy Industries Assn.

-- Evan Vaughan, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition

-- John Koteck, Nuclear Energy Institute

-- Julia Kortrey, Evergreen Action - Fact Sheet

-- Nick Bibby, Advance Energy United

-- Rod Williamson - Industrial Energy Consumers Of PA

-- Devi Ramkissoon, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia

Additional written testimony--

-- Sharon Pillar, Pennsylvania Solar Center

-- Rachel Goodgal, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance

Click Here for a video of the hearing.

Two-Part PA Energy/Climate Plan

The PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) introduced in House Bill 2277 (Otten-D-Chester) and Senate Bill 1190 (Santarsiero-D-Bucks) is one part of a two-part PA Energy/Climate Plan announced by Gov. Shapiro in March with labor, business and environmental groups. Read more here.

The second part-- the PA Climate Emission Reduction Program (PACER)-- was introduced in House Bill 2275 (Abney-D-Allegheny) and Senate Bill 1191 (Comitta-D-Chester)

PRESS continues all of the successful elements of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) while making it more inclusive—adding nuclear power, next generation technologies like fusion, and clean forms of natural gas for the first time.

This revitalized energy standard will deliver outsized economic value, improve the reliability of our electricity grid, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in the energy arena for the next twenty years.

PRESS raises the target for the cleanest and renewable energy projects in Tier I to 35% by 2035; it raises the target for Tier II to 10%; and it creates a new Tier III that includes important alternative sources or of power like co-blended or low emission natural gas and other step-stone resources with a 5% target by 2035.

In addition, PRESS ensures the continuity of our existing clean energy nuclear fleet by creating a mechanism for those facilities to receive support in the event they are threatened with closure.

Under PACER, the Department of Environmental Protection will calculate a Pennsylvania-specific cap on carbon emissions and hold our own independent PACER credit auctions.

The proceeds will be invested as follows--

-- 70 percent returned directly to electricity consumers, including those in rural areas, as an across-the-board, on-bill rebate by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). This reflects the proceeds expected to come from Pennsylvania electricity customers.

-- 30 percent to support energy efficiency projects that reduce air pollution in Pennsylvania, invest in new job-creating clean energy projects, and support low-income energy consumers with their energy bills through a year-round LIHEAP program. Of that project funding, 40 percent will be dedicated to directly benefit Environmental Justice communities.

Click Here for a more detailed summary of the Governor’s Energy/Climate Plans.

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7647 or sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net. Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5075 or by sending email to: mcauser@pahousegop.com.

(Photo: Pittsburgh-based EOS Energy storage systems.)

Resource Link:

-- House Committee Told Governor’s Energy Plan Diversifies Energy Generation, Avoids One-Fuel Dependence, Improves Grid Reliability, Lowers Consumer Costs, Generates Jobs; Or Upends Competitive Markets And Is A ‘Death Wish’ For Our Economy [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - July 27 to August 2 - 120 More Abandoned Conventional Wells; 3rd Pipeline Construction Spill; 1,260 Gallon Conventional Oil Spill [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 3 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 66 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 3 PA Bulletin [PaEN]