THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY PETRI, BEYER, DePASQUALE, EVERETT, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY, KILLION, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, SIPTROTH, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH AND WATSON, APRIL 1, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, APRIL 1, 2009  

AN ACT

Amending the act of November 29, 2004 (P.L.1376, No.178),

entitled "An act relating to alternative fuels; establishing

the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund; authorizing grants and

rebates to promote the use of alternative fuels; imposing

duties on the Department of Environmental Protection;

providing for an annual report; allocating funds collected

from the utilities gross receipts tax; making an

appropriation; abrogating regulations; and making a repeal,"

providing for State Government energy efficiency. 

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The act of November 29, 2004 (P.L.1376, No.178),

known as the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act, is amended by

adding a section to read:

Section 3.2.  State government energy efficiency.

(a)  Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used

in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this

subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Department."  The Department of General Services of the

Commonwealth.

"Governmental unit."  A department or agency under the

jurisdiction of the Governor of the Commonwealth.

"Secretary."  The Secretary of General Services of the

Commonwealth.

"State building."  A structure occupied by an executive

agency, an independent agency, a State-affiliated entity or a

State-related institution as defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 

(relating to definitions) or by the United Judicial System and

its officers.

(b)  Overall energy reduction target.--On or before December

31, 2013, the Commonwealth shall reduce its overall use of

petroleum-based heating and transportation-based fuels by 15%

from the usage levels existing on June 30, 2006.

(c)  Reducing energy use in State buildings.--The department

shall establish an energy efficiency savings program for all

State buildings managed by the department or another department

or agency within the executive branch. The program shall include

reduction of the Commonwealth's petroleum-based energy use in

all Commonwealth-owned facilities in accordance with the

requirements set forth in subsection (b). The department shall

reach this goal by December 31, 2013, when compared to energy

use and energy purchases for the fiscal year ending June 30,

2006.

(d)  Energy efficiency and State motor vehicle fleet.--In

managing the Commonwealth's fleet of motor vehicles, the

department shall:

(1)  Ensure compliance with the requirements of the

Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-486, 42 U.S.C. §

13201 et seq.) by acquiring alternative fuel vehicles capable

of operating on nonpetroleum fuels or on blended fuels with

lower petroleum content.

(2)  Increase the number of hybrid or other alternative

fueled vehicles within the Commonwealth vehicle fleet and

reduce the Commonwealth's petroleum-based transportation

energy use in accordance with the requirements set forth in

subsection (b). The department shall ensure that the purchase

and deployment of the hybrid or other alternative fueled

vehicles are cost-effective and capable of meeting the

Commonwealth's transportation needs.

(3)  Increase the use and procurement of alternative fuel

and bio-based lubricants used within the Commonwealth vehicle

fleet in accordance with the requirements set forth in

subsection (b). The department shall conduct an analysis of

the vehicle fuel and the amount of lubricants used by all

fleet vehicles and develop a schedule for increasing the

amount of alternative fuel and bio-based lubricants over this

period.

(4)  (i)  Increase the use and procurement of diesel fuel

with the highest percentage of biodiesel content in the

blend that is available. The target shall be to increase

the Commonwealth's utilization of biodiesel as part of

its overall effort to meet the requirements set forth in

subsection (b).

(ii)  The biodiesel used in the blend shall be from a

qualified Pennsylvania-based biodiesel producer.

(iii)  The requirements of subparagraph (ii) shall

not apply:

(A)  to aviation fuel;

(B)  where prohibited by law; or

(C)  to any vehicle owned or operated by an

agency under the Governor's jurisdiction and of an

independent agency, State-affiliated entity or State-

related institution for which mechanical failure due

to the use of biodiesel will void the manufacturer's

warranty for that vehicle.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.