Town Hall Meeting Urges Philadelphians to Push for Clean Energy and Energy Savings Legislation Stuck in State Senate Committee

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just two days after Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced plans to build a $12 million solar power plant at the Navy Yard, bringing great green jobs to Philadelphia’s workers, Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) held a packed town hall meeting to urge citizens to join the Campaign for Great Green Jobs, a statewide campaign with more than 100 endorsers, geared to move legislation forward in the State Senate which would provide state investment and incentives in clean energy and energy conservation.

“Changing how we use energy and what kind of energy we use are vital to protecting our environment,” said John Hanger, PennFuture’s president and CEO, “but these changes are absolutely necessary to grow our economy. We cannot compete in a 21st Century economy without these changes. And Philadelphia stands to gain thousands of new great jobs to move us into the green economy.

“But every minute wasted risks that those jobs will go to New Jersey or New York or Delaware, and Pennsylvania will be left behind,” continued Hanger. “The State Senate must pass the clean energy funding bill and the energy savings bill without delay.

Speakers at the standing room only town hall meeting included local business people already creating these 21st Century jobs, and elected officials who are pledged to move the legislation forward. Speakers included Mike McKinley of Solaris Inc., Sharon Barr of international wind energy company Gamesa, Molly Tsongas of Smart Power, John Churchville of the American Cities Foundation and others. Members and staff of the General Assembly also participated, including Representatives Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia), Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware), and Charles Duncan, Executive Director of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, where Senator Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia) serves as Minority Chair.

The two bills up for consideration would help citizens save money, fight global warming and create great green jobs. House Bill 2200 (HB 2200), the energy savings bill, creates robust energy efficiency and conservation programs in all parts of Pennsylvania and gives every electric consumer a smart meter, a key tool for managing electricity use. Special Session House Bill 1 (SHB 1), the clean energy funding bill, provides $850 million of investments in renewable energy, green buildings and energy efficiency. Included in the bill is $200 million for solar energy.