North American Windpower: New Bill Aims To Boost Pennsylvania's Renewable Portfolio Standard

by NAW Staff on Tuesday 19 February 2013

Pennsylvania State Rep. Greg Vitali has introduced legislation that would increase the amount of electricity that the commonwealth's utilities must obtain from wind power and other renewable energy sources.

H.B.100 would amend the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) Act by requiring Pennsylvania utilities to obtain 15% of their power from renewable sources by 2023, compared to the current AEPS requirements of 4% by 2013 and 8% by 2021.

Vitali says he introduced the legislation to help address climate change and create green jobs.

"Superstorm Sandy was a reminder of the consequences we face if we ignore the climate-change issue," says Vitali, who is Democratic chairman of Pennsylvania’s House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. "We will not solve this problem without increasing our use of renewable energy.”

Currently, 0.05% of Pennsylvania electricity must come from solar energy, and that would increase to 0.5% under the AEPS in place by 2021. Vitali's bill would increase that amount to 1.5% by 2023.

This is the second bill Vitali has introduced during this legislative session to increase the amount of renewable energy Pennsylvania uses.

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