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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 17, 2021 11:09 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Eric R. Nelson and Rep. Ed Neilson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Information and Energy Infrastructure Bill |
| Please join us as a co-sponsor to help the Commonwealth strengthen its broadband and energy infrastructure. Under this bipartisan legislation, we will prioritize up to $40 million per fiscal year of capital projects under the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to establish a competitive, matching dollar grant process to incentivize private industry investment in Pennsylvania’s information and energy infrastructure. The new program, which would be similar to the existing Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) program, would have two new categories of capital projects: broadband capital projects and energy infrastructure capital projects. Implementing this legislation dovetails with available federal dollars to maximize Pennsylvania’s opportunity to expand energy and rural broadband access for families and businesses across our state. We have implemented a ten-year sunset to help get investment started now. If the policy is successful, future legislators can extend this opportunity. Applications for these new types of projects would be reviewed by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and approved investments would be overseen by the Office of the Budget. The debt incurred would count toward the established limitations that are currently reserved for Redevelopment Assistance Capital Projects. By using an existing program to target support for new industry investment, we can achieve the twin goals of helping grow access to information and level the economic playing field without raising taxes, surcharges, or fees on citizens or businesses. We look forward to working with you as a co-sponsor on this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1629