HARRISBURG – Acting to establish a sweeping, new energy framework for Pennsylvania, the Senate approved legislation today creating the Independent Energy Office (IEO) and Pennsylvania’s Opportunity With Energy Reliability (POWER) Board, said Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41).
Under Senate Bill 832, the IEO will provide data-driven analysis and ensure lawmakers have the reliable information necessary to review and implement current energy strategies as well as be on the forefront of new innovative technologies.
The POWER Board will be a public clearinghouse for energy development in Pennsylvania and allow residents to see public accountability on decisions that impact energy prices in Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania continues to lose business and energy opportunities to states like Ohio and West Virginia,” said Pittman. “That means our state’s energy trade workers aren’t packing lunch boxes to go to work here; they’re packing suitcases to go to West Virginia and Ohio because we don’t have enough energy development growth in this commonwealth.”
The federal government has passed legislation to provide funding for states to grow solar, wind, hydro and nuclear capacities. Pennsylvania must apply for these funds and provide a framework to distribute funding throughout the state. The General Assembly has not yet established this framework and statutory authority is needed.
Pittman emphasized there must be an all-of-the-above strategy that recognizes the only way the grid maintains itself is by having all available energy sources complement each other.
“When we employ a common-sense energy policy to use our natural resources, we create economic opportunity,” Pittman explained. “This bill is about unleashing that opportunity, which will help allow working families in this commonwealth who rely on the production of energy to stay here, work here, and raise families here.”
Senate Republicans will continue to stand in support of an affordable and diverse energy portfolio to benefit Pennsylvania consumers and remain strong advocates for the hardworking men and women across our commonwealth who rely on maximum wage, family-sustaining jobs throughout the energy sector.
Media Contact: Kate Eckhart Flessner