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(R-Delaware) House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Following a meeting held on the high price of gasoline during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Republican Policy Committee held an informational meeting recently on alternative fuel sources to reduce gasoline and home heating costs in Pennsylvania. Defining and implementing a long-term plan to reduce or, at least maintain, the cost of gasoline and home heating costs, to reduce our reliance on foreign oil is essential. If we have learned anything this past year, it is that we have to be more proactive in terms of the creation and execution of alternative energy resources. As a state with agriculture as its number one industry and a long and rich history in coal production, we are sitting on a gold mine of opportunities for alternative energy techniques. Testifiers at the hearing spoke about several alternative energy resources, including solar, wind, biomass fuels from soybean and corn, methane gas and bio-digesters, which make use of manure from farms to produce electricity. Testifiers at the hearing represented the Alternative Fuels Renewable Energies Council, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, PPL Energy Services, the Sustainable Energy Development Fund, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Pennsylvania Agricultural Renewable Fuels Council. Some of the barriers that are preventing the growth of alternative energy usage are the cost of biomass fuel and new technologies, the lack of pumping stations offering alternative fuels, and a need to better educate the public and business sector about alternative energy choices. In light of the hearing, it is obvious that state government must take the lead and set an example by implementing more alternative energy resources within its facilities. We also need to look at possibly instituting additional tax credits and grants to consumers, businesses and other organizations that make use of alternative energy resources. The hearing was a great opportunity for myself and other members of the committee to learn from the experts about what is currently being done, and what can and should be done in the future, to secure Pennsylvania as an energy leader. This is an issue we plan to continue to look at and provide recommendations for legislation that will help advance our goals. I expect the committee to hold at least one more hearing on alternative energy. If you would like more information on this issue, please contact Darren Smith in my office at (717) 787-3850. CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives |
