Posted: | June 11, 2021 03:45 PM |
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From: | Representative Timothy J. O'Neal |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Energy Choice Legislation |
A recent Wall Street Journal article titled Battle Brews Over Banning Natural Gas to Homes, sparked interest to me when I saw that in some states major energy policy decisions are left to the lowest municipal level. This allowed major cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Denver and New York to enact or propose measures to ban or discourage the use of fossil fuels in new homes and buildings. With over 2500 municipal entities in Pennsylvania such a scenario would create an unworkable patchwork of restrictions and further deny residents access to differing energy resources. Given the importance of all energy sources in Pennsylvania, it is important for the state to set a standard similar to states such as Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas and Louisiana. My legislation would ensure that all Pennsylvania businesses and homeowners would have the opportunity to access a variety of energy options, whether it be natural gas, solar, wind, geothermal or other. Further, this legislation will be a step forward in developing a statewide energy policy addressing all forms of energy. This legislation is companion legislation to Senate Bill 275 introduced this session by Senator Gene Yaw. I hope you will join me in preserving the Commonwealth’s authority to set energy policy and ensure that all Pennsylvanians are able to benefit from our resources. |
Introduced as HB1947