HARRISBURG, January 22, 2009 – During a visit to the 93rd annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced that the Commonwealth is now one step closer to declaring its energy independence, and within one year, every gallon of on-road diesel fuel sold will contain at least 2 percent biodiesel.
Rendell signed the biodiesel bill (H.B. 1202) into law in July, and it requires that all diesel fuel sold at retail must contain:
- 2 percent biodiesel, once in-state production reaches 40 million gallons;
- 5 percent biodiesel, once in-state production reaches 100 million gallons;
- 10 percent biodiesel, once in-state production reaches 200 million gallons; and
- 20 percent biodiesel, once in-state production reaches 400 million gallons.
The new law, Act 78, also requires retail-sold gasoline to contain 10 percent ethanol once in-state cellulosic ethanol production reaches 350 million gallons. Rendell estimated that Act 78 would account for an addition of one billion gallons of biofuels to the state’s fuel supply.
Leach said, “Act 78 and similar pieces of legislation encourage more responsible treatment of our environment and better utilization of our state’s resources. It is heartening to see that the initial steps are being taken to reaching our energy independence, and I want to continue our progress in that direction. For that reason, I plan to reintroduce a package of bills aimed at preserving Pennsylvania’s natural resources and educating people about how to live greener lives.”
Leach will introduce to the Senate his former House Bills 894, 1296 and 1297. Leach said H.B. 894, which passed the House unanimously last session, would amend the state Education Code to exempt monies allowing for the construction of schools meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) standards, which traditionally result in more environmentally friendly, cost efficient schools.
H.B. 1296 would provide for the exemption of the sale and use of compact fluorescent lamps, also called energy-saving light bulbs, from the state sales tax. Those bulbs generate 70 percent less heat than standard bulbs and can save consumers $30 or more in energy costs over the lifetime of each bulb.
H.B. 1297 would establish the Electricity Meter Lending Program by creating a fund to give grants to libraries to purchase Electricity Meters. People would then be able to borrow the meters from their local libraries and check the efficiency of their appliances at home.
“The key is to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have the knowledge to make intelligent energy choices,” Leach noted. “I believe that the legislation I’m planning to introduce could help bridge the gap between where we are now environmentally, and where we want to be in the future.”
###
